Federal Cuts Could Impact Local Schools

This Friday, billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts will kick in. If Congress doesn't agree on a budget. the cuts are steep and hit every federal agency, from the military, to transportation, and education.

The White House says New York State could lose nearly $43 million in K-12 education funding.

Approximately six hundred teacher and aide jobs could be on the chopping block.

Here's a closer look at the potential education cuts here at home.

Students in Mr. Serrino's fifth grade science class at Laurelton-Pardee Elementary School hope to continue to measure up if federal cuts are leveled later this week.

"Cuts have real effects on real people. They are not, they are not just numbers. When you take teachers out of classrooms, that affects the quality of what you are able to supply to students," said John Abbott, East Irondequoit Deputy School Superintendent.

East Irondequoit's Deputy School Superintendent says one, possibly two, teachers may be laid off next school year as a result of sequestration."We'll do our best to continue to provide the services that we've always provided. But anytime you layoff the work that they were doing won't get done," added Abbott.

School officials say the cuts will likely have a ripple effect. The burden falling on the shoulders of taxpayers. "

East Irondequoit is not alone. The City of Rochester School District, Greece, Gates, and Brockport could also be hit hard. "There are side effects from sequestration that will affect students, especially the most vulnerable. It's going to cut aid to food stamps. Which means that more children will probably going to be coming to school hungry, because they don't have adequate food at home," said Jody Siegle, Executive Director, Monroe County School Boards Association.

Despite what could lie ahead, these students and teachers say they will try to make the grade the best way they know how.