Sequestration Threat Minimal for Council Rock Schools, Superintendent Says

Sequestration – the $85 billion in automatic budget cuts set to begin Friday unless Congress reaches a deal – would have implications at the state level but would not have a significant immediate impact on local school funding, officials said.

According to information released by the White House, Pennsylvania will lose approximately $26.4 million in federal education funding. But Council Rock School District Superintendent Mark Klein said Council Rock relies “very little” on federal aid. Because of that, he believes sequestration would have only a slight impact to local public schools.

Federal aid accounted for $1.84 million of Council Rock's $202 million budget for 2012-2013.

However, the impacts of sequestration may be felt immediately at the state level. According to the White House, the following cuts would go into effect Friday in Pennsylvania if a deal is not reached:

• $1,213,000 in public health funding to protect the public against infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological events.
• $2,930,000 in grants to prevent and treat substance abuse
• $5,705,000 to environmental funding
• $1,448,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection
• $866,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement
• $361,000 in funding for vaccinations
• $849,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors
• Approximately 26,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $150 million

Click here to view a full list of possible cuts that has been posted on the White House's website.