Parents and guardians are reminded to return the yellow impact aid forms that were sent home with students on Tuesday.

The forms -- which are required to be filled out for every student -- are vital to the district receiving federal funds.

"The federal government gives us money for every child of a military parent or of a parent who works on a U.S. government installation," said Shane Switzer, business manager for Biloxi Public Schools. "The reasoning behind this is that those parents pay less in property and sales taxes in their local communities. The impact aid funding helps the district to offset those losses of tax revenue. Last fiscal year, we were awarded just less than $1 million. That number is significantly down over prior years due to the loss of enrollment and loss of base housing, but we hope it will climb with this years count. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, we were receiving around $2 million per fiscal year.

"Each student has been given a yellow Federal Card to take home. We ask that each parent carefully complete the card and have their child return it to school no later than Friday, Nov. 5. It is extremely important that each student return this card to us, regardless of if they are military-related or not."