National Association of Federally Impacted Schools

08/25/2026

NAFIS is pleased to welcome Michelle Kuss-Cybula, Superintendent of Oak Harbor Public Schools, as our Washington State Chair!

State Chairs play a vital role in advancing the NAFIS mission—advocating for federally impacted school districts and strengthening connections between districts and the association.

Michelle has led Oak Harbor, which serves students connected to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, since 2022. With more than 30 years in public education, she brings collaborative leadership and a strong commitment to military-connected students and families. A dedicated advocate for Impact Aid and Department of Defense partnerships, she also serves as President of the Washington State Impact Aid Association.

We’re grateful for Michelle’s leadership and look forward to working with her to advance the priorities of federally impacted school districts across Washington and beyond.

Please join us in welcoming Michelle to the NAFIS State Chair Network!

08/12/2026

Earlier this summer, NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai and Director of Policy and Advocacy Jayson Schimmenti joined military-connected education leaders from across the country at the Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA) Summer Meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota.

During the meeting, Cherise and Jayson provided updates on NAFIS’s federal advocacy efforts, including FY 2027 appropriations, legislative priorities, and the evolving federal policy landscape. The meeting also featured updates from MISA, the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), and the U.S. Department of Education’s Division of Impact Aid Programs.

In addition, participants toured Douglas School District to learn more about its support for military-connected students and visited Ellsworth Air Force Base, where they gained firsthand insight into the installation’s mission and its partnership with local schools.

NAFIS is grateful for the opportunity to connect with MISA members and other leaders serving military-connected students and to strengthen our shared understanding of the diverse communities supported through Impact Aid. Thank you to MISA, Douglas School District, Ellsworth AFB, and all of the presenters and partners who made the meeting a success.

08/03/2026

NAFIS Members, check your inbox — the Summer 2026 issue of IMPACT was delivered Friday!

Explore our refreshed design and new interactive digital flipbook, making it easier to read and share across devices.

Inside, you’ll find:
- Executive Director Cherise Imai’s reflections on her first nine months leading NAFIS
- Progress on NAFIS priorities for implementation of the U.S. Department of Education/Department of Labor Interagency Agreement (IAA)
- An overview on FY 2027 appropriations and a closer look at how Continuing Resolutions affect Impact Aid funding
- Leadership profiles, federal updates, subgroup news, research highlights, and more

Be sure to check it out for the latest news and insights affecting federally impacted school districts!

07/27/2026

Please join us in welcoming Lory Dufrain as our new South Dakota State Chair!

Lory brings more than 45 years of experience in school finance and administration, including two decades as Business Manager of the Wagner Community School District on the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation. A dedicated advocate for federally impacted school districts, she has long been a leader in Impact Aid, serving as Past President of the National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA), current President of Impact Schools of South Dakota (ISSD), and a familiar presenter at NAFIS conferences.

As State Chair, Lory will help strengthen advocacy for federally impacted school districts across South Dakota and serve as an important link between our members and the association.

We are excited to have her leadership and expertise as part of the NAFIS State Chair Network. Welcome, Lory!

07/22/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 NAFIS Fall Conference!

Join the NAFIS Family September 20–22 in Washington, D.C., for the nation's premier Impact Aid event.

This year's conference comes at a critical time. As the federal education landscape continues to evolve, you'll gain the knowledge, connections, and advocacy tools needed to navigate change and strengthen the future of Impact Aid.

Why attend?
- Stay informed on the latest federal policy and funding developments.
- Build your Impact Aid expertise with insights from NAFIS, the U.S. Department of Education, and district leaders.
- Connect with colleagues from federally impacted school districts across the country.
- Prepare to advocate on Capitol Hill for strong support of Impact Aid.

Don't miss your opportunity to learn, connect, and advocate alongside the NAFIS Family. Register today and make your voice heard in Washington. https://nafisdc-fall.joynconference.com/conference/

07/14/2026

NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai recently visited Custer School District 16-1 in southwestern South Dakota, meeting with Superintendent Dr. Tim Frederick to learn more about the district and the critical role Impact Aid plays in supporting its students.

Serving nearly 900 students across more than 1,200 square miles, Custer School District is a Section 7002 Federal Property district where approximately 55% of the land is federally or state-owned, including Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. Because these tax-exempt lands reduce the local property tax base, Impact Aid is a vital source of funding.

During the visit, Dr. Frederick shared his pride in the district's commitment to student success and showcased the district's impressive new Career and Technical Education Center. Opened in late 2025, the 18,000-square-foot facility provides hands-on learning in fields including welding, architecture, health sciences, culinary arts, media, and building trades, preparing students with valuable industry-recognized credentials.

Thank you to Dr. Frederick and the entire Custer School District team for welcoming NAFIS and sharing the story of your students, schools, and community!

07/09/2026

Impact Aid in Action!

Great story on how NAFIS member Baboquivari Education is using Impact Aid to provide affordable teacher housing, helping attract and retain teachers while supporting staff.

The Baboquivari Unified School District is using federal funding to build affordable teacher housing as Arizona faces more than 4,000 teaching vacancies.

07/06/2026

NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai recently joined the National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA) Board of Directors for their meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Hosted by Connie Kaltenbach, Superintendent of Oglala Lakota County School District, the visit included tours of Red Shirt Elementary, Lakota Tech High School, and the Heritage Center. These experiences offered a powerful reminder that when schools embrace culture, community, and identity, students are better positioned to thrive.

The Board also visited Ellsworth Air Force Base, where members received a mission briefing from the 28th Bomb Wing and had the opportunity to see a B-1B Lancer up close. The visit gave leaders from Indian lands school districts valuable insight into the unique opportunities and challenges facing military-connected school districts, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse communities served through Impact Aid and the shared importance of the program.

Cherise is grateful for the opportunity to connect with NIISA Board members and learn directly from school, community, and military leaders about the needs of federally connected students. Mahalo nui loa to Superintendent Connie Kaltenbach, NIISA leadership, school staff, and the dedicated personnel at Ellsworth AFB for your hospitality and partnership.

07/02/2026

The 2026 NAFIS Fall Conference Call for Proposals is now open!

What is making a difference in your district? We're looking for educators and leaders to share successful programs, practical solutions, and lessons learned that can help colleagues address the unique challenges facing federally impacted school districts.

Whether you've launched a new initiative, solved a persistent challenge, or developed a promising practice, your experience can help inform and inspire peers from across the country.

Proposals due July 30, 2026. Learn more and submit today! https://nafisdc-fall.joynconference.com/conference/session-proposals

06/30/2026

NAFIS is proud to welcome Chad Wyen, Superintendent of Mad River Local Schools, as our new Ohio State Chair. In this role, he will lead advocacy for federally impacted school districts in the state and serve as a liaison between those districts and the association.

Since becoming superintendent at Mad River Local Schools – which serves students connected to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base – in 2014, Chad has been a dedicated champion for Impact Aid and military-connected students. His longstanding commitment includes serving on Ohio's Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3), leading his district's Purple Star designation efforts, and serving as the immediate past president of the Learning Opportunity Impacted Schools Association (LO~ISA).

Please join us in congratulating Chad on this well-deserved appointment and wishing him success as he advocates for Impact Aid, federally impacted school districts, and the students they serve!