Belleville News Democrat

When it comes to school funding, the formula is often complicated. It’s even more complex for school districts like Mascoutah District 19, which receives impact aid from the federal government.

Impact aid compensates local schools for “substantial and continuing financial burden” resulting from federal activities, such as educating children of military service members. The federal government provides compensation because local governments are unable to collect property taxes from land owned by the government.

Mascoutah District 19 receives about $8 million annually through the program, according to Superintendent Craig Fiegel, due to its proximity to Scott Air Force Base.