Pittsburgh Public Schools To Vote On Resolution Opposing Sequestration

Pittsburgh Public Schools To Vote On Resolution Opposing Sequestration
PITTSBURGH, PA-SEPTEMBER 26: Students clap after Kathy Duritza, a pre-school teacher at the North Hills KinderCare Learning Center, is surprised with the Early Childhood Educator Award and a USD 10,000 check from Knowledge Universe on September 26, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images for Knowledge Universe)
PITTSBURGH, PA-SEPTEMBER 26: Students clap after Kathy Duritza, a pre-school teacher at the North Hills KinderCare Learning Center, is surprised with the Early Childhood Educator Award and a USD 10,000 check from Knowledge Universe on September 26, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images for Knowledge Universe)

The Pittsburgh Public Schools board is preparing to vote on a resolution opposing sequestration, which Superintendent Linda Lane said would have a "pretty severe impact" on the district.

Under sequestration, automatic federal budget cuts will take place in 2013 unless the U.S. Senate, House and president agree on how to address budget issues.

The board is scheduled to vote on Wednesday on the resolution, which states that the district, its students and families are dependent on federal funding of education and sequestration would "result in a catastrophic interruption of programs within the district placing the initiatives for student achievement in grave peril."

Officials estimated the district would lose $3.5 million in 2013-14 -- an 8.2 percent decrease -- in various federal program money, including Title 1, Title 2, IDEA and Head Start, if sequestration takes effect.

Ms. Lane said it's uncertain whether certain special purpose grants, such as the Teacher Incentive Fund, would be affected, but, if so, the loss would be even greater.

Education writer Eleanor Chute: echute@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1955. ___

(c)2012 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

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