By Nicole H. Glentzer, Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools
The impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on schools remains unclear; however, I am staying engaged with state and federal partners to monitor developments and advocate for our students and schools. I am concerned that proposed cuts to support programs that are lifelines for millions of Californians, such as CalFresh, will create additional challenges for schools, especially in our rural and under-resourced county. Compounding this issue, last week the federal government impounded Congressionally approved education funds for the 2025–26 school year, missing the July 1 deadline and putting key programs at immediate risk.
Food insecurity impedes learning, making programs like CalFresh, California’s food assistance program, essential to student success. In May 2025, the CalFresh program brought $3.22 million dollars into Mendocino County. If families lose access to CalFresh due to new eligibility requirements, students may face food insecurity at home, which will impact their learning. Additionally, schools may see a decrease in the number of students qualifying for free meals. As a result, schools will receive less federal funding, making it harder to sustain existing universal meal programs.
Medicaid is another support program that may face budget cuts or tighter eligibility requirements. As of March 2025, 15,417 Mendocino County children ages 0-20 were enrolled in Medicaid. Schools rely on Medicaid reimbursements to provide services like vision screenings, mental health counseling, nursing care, and support for students with disabilities. While the potential changes are concerning, the State of California already serves more beneficiaries than the federal government deems eligible, which will likely limit the immediate impact on school funding in our area. MCOE participates in state and national Medi-Cal and Medicaid groups to advocate for schools and lead collective efforts that support students in Mendocino County.
I am also concerned about how a significant increase in funding for immigration enforcement may impact student attendance, participation in enrichment programs, and overall mental health. Fear and instability at home lead to anxiety, affect behavior and learning, and contribute to chronic absenteeism. These are real consequences that we see in our classrooms, impacting the learning of all students.
Each school district in Mendocino County has different resources to respond to changing policies and funding challenges. Still, one thing is clear: when families face hardship, schools feel the effects, and these have lasting impacts on all our students. Every dollar withheld from our schools hurts our students, our schools, and our future workforce.