MILFORD, Del.- Automatic spending cuts that could kick in on March 1 could have a large impact on the education system in Delaware. If no deal is reached in Washington, Delaware could lose $1.4 million in funding for primary and secondary education and another $1.8 million in funds for staff who help children with special needs.
The Milford School District is anticipating a 5.1 percent reduction in its federal funding if these automatic cuts do happen.
"5.1 percent may not seem like a lot but when you depend on that federal funding to run after school programs for students, it's a great impact for us," said Dr. Phyllis Kohel, district superintendent.
Those after school programs including a tutoring program for students who need extra help. The students would not receive the extra assistance and teachers would no longer get that extra pay. The district could also see these cuts impact free and reduced lunches, full day kindergarten and summer school.
On top of the program cuts and reductions, staff cuts may be necessary as well; particularly to instructional aides in the classroom. It is a reduction that high school principal Dr. David Carter believes the district cannot afford to make.
"We want to be able to reach our students as much as we possibly can and when it comes to making them a better citizen, preparing them for the next level, that we don't leave any stones unturned. So I really think it needs to be considered in regards to the whole sequester," said Carter.
And that is a sentiment many can agree with outside of the classroom. Kelly Stanley is a Milford District Parent and doesn't want to see any child lose the programs and services that are already being offered to them.
"Education cuts at any level are going to impact a lot of our students and that's really discouraging when we pay so much money into the government, we want these benefits for our kids," said Stanley.
Benefits that may be lost if something does not change in Washington by the end of the month.
