Federal Impact Aid surveys are due on Sept. 19 and historically have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars to Madison City Schools.

Madison students were given the surveys to take home for parents to complete. The federal government awards money for both military families and civilian employees working at federal agencies.

“Impact aid funds have helped Madison City Schools tremendously over the years. As a point of reference, last year we received over $200,000 because our parents took the time to complete the forms,” Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said at the kickoff last week at James Clemens High School.

Schools receive federal funds if a student’s parent or guardian satisfies any of these scenarios:

* Works on federal property. Examples are Redstone Arsenal, U.S. Postal Service and Federal Aviation Administration.

* Works in active, full-time duty in the uniformed services or reserves with the U.S. military.

* Lives in a federal housing project.

* Any combination of these requirements.

Parents or guardian should complete one form for each student.

“We’re at the $2 million mark overall (for impact funds),” director of special education Dr. Maria Kilgore said. “We also can apply for federal grants, which then bump up our money dramatically.”

At the kickoff, school officials from Madison and other North Alabama communities gathered to hear Col. John Hamilton, Garrison Commander at Redstone Arsenal.

Surveys deliver “resources that you need to achieve your potential,” Hamilton told James Clemens students. “Administrators put every bit of their energy into making sure that they give you the broad opportunities that they possible can.”

“This process doesn’t work if you don’t get the forms home to your parents and get forms back to your teachers,” Hamilton said. “This school building didn’t happen magically. Teachers don’t show up magically. It takes money to make sure you have the resources that you need.”

“It’s not about me. It’s not about the teachers and superintendents … it’s about you,” Hamilton said.

For more information, call Kilgore at 256-464-8370, ext. 10221.