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12/12/2025

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Secure Rural Schools Program passes Congress with bipartisan support

by Caroline Parker |

After two years in limbo, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) was reauthorized for Fiscal Years 2024-26 with bipartisan support on Dec. 9. In North Carolina, 26 out of the state’s 100 counties receive this federal funding...

The Editor’s Notes

I am heartbroken as so many are that we have lost a “visionary and tireless optimist,” Chester Williams. Here is our article about Chester from when The Rural Center honored his leadership earlier this year, and here is how you can help. Sending love to his mom and the ABC2 community. #onlyoneChester

In 2021, EdNC’s Caroline Parker first identified the importance of the federal Secure Rural Schools funding while she was working in Graham County. We’ve been covering it ever since, and since Helene, we’ve been worried about the lapse in funding especially for particular rural school districts in WNC. This will make a difference.

Analisa’s scratch cooking article has me thinking again about blue zones and schools.

Some of you may remember that just before Helene hit, I was in Italy, studying blue zones. Blue zones are communities around the world where research has identified four common denominators: diet, integrating movement throughout the day, connections to community, and having a sense of purpose. The idea behind the trip was if our schools integrated the blue zone factors then we would see the same longer term benefits for students in terms of health and wellbeing. We have found schools that focus on one factor, but not all four. If you know of a school in North Carolina, where all four factors are prioritized, please email mrash at ednc.org.

Here is your playlist for the weekend courtesy of Jeff McDaris.

Need to know

Featured Read

ENSURING A NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The White House | December 11, 2025

The president signed this executive order on AI yesterday: "It is the policy of the US to sustain and enhance the United States’ global AI dominance through a minimally burdensome national policy framework for AI."... Read the rest

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Mebane Rash

Mebane Rash is the CEO and editor-in-chief of EducationNC.

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