Sequestration Of Federal Funds Could Affect Central Regional School Budget This Year

The Central Regional school district could lose roughly $250,000 in federal funds if Congress fails to halt $85 billion in "sequestration" spending cuts by March 1.

Central Regional received roughly $1 million in federal dollars to use in the general budget, Business Administrator Kevin O'Shea said.

"We are being asked to expect a reduction of 25 percent of these funds, or about $250,000 for next year," he said. 'This is going to have ramifications for our budget for the next school year, when you consider that the two percent cap for us amounts to just over $544,000."

The district currently receives about $500,000 to help offset special education costs and another $500,000 in No Child Left Behind funds, which helps to fund some basic skills positions, professional development, and some after school tutoring for low income students, O'Shea said. 

The White House said Sunday that funding for education in New Jersey would be slashed by nearly $30 million and drastic cuts made to health care programs and environmental protection, if Congress fails to stop the cuts.

The sequestration cuts affecting school districts would include:  

• Approximately $11.7 million in funding for primary and secondary education.
• About $17 million in funds for about 210 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
• Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 1,300 children.