At LPS, cuts could be ‘devastating’

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Under proposed cuts to the federal budget, Lincoln Public Schools could lose funding for such programs as Head Start, Title I and special education.

Funding for the Even Start program, a literacy program for about 70 families that allows parents to become active in their children’s education, ended in January, said Deila Steiner, LPS federal programs director.

Programs that get federal money have already seen 1 percent cuts for the 2006-07 school year. And additional cuts to the ’07-’08 year would compound the effect, Steiner said.

Lincoln Board of Education member Barbara Baier said LPS gets federal money for more than 36 programs, which equates to at least several million in funds.

“My concern is I’m seeing a lot of cuts starting to form on the federal level,” Baier said. “I’m really concerned about how that is going to affect the local school districts.”

Cuts are targeted toward minorities, low-income and special needs children, especially among elementary students, she said.

“A lot of programs are going to be diminished due to lack of funding,” she said.

The cuts affect families that may not have a lot of support as it is and who are vulnerable to program losses, Baier said.

“They can happen suddenly and can be devastating,” she said.