Video: KHOU 11 News
Laura Isensee, KUHF Public Radio
Friday marked the deadline for automatic spending cuts by the federal government, the so-called “sequester.” The Obama Administration estimates Texas would lose nearly $68 million for education. So what does that mean for the Houston Independent School District?
Like other school districts in Texas Houston ISD receives federal money for low-income students and special education. They’re called Title One and IDEA funds.
Those are the types of education programs that would get cut if lawmakers in Washington don’t reach a compromise and the so-called “sequester” kicks in.
“If it were to happen, we would be faced with making some tough decisions.” [said] Jason Spencer with HISD.
“On an annual basis HISD stands to lose an estimated $12.4 million dollars from entitlement grants.” He says those cuts would hurt kids who need extra help.
“These are grants that cover summer school. These are grants that also pay a very large portion of our special education programs to the tune of about $3 million dollars a year. So really our most at-risk students would be suffering the most if this were to happen.”
Spencer says the district doesn’t have many options to make up for the spending cuts.
(Read and listen to more of this story at KUHF Public Radio)
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