Sequestration Could Impact Anne Arundel Schools

While many federally-funded programs will be affected as a result of sequestration, Anne Arundel County schools hope to avoid cutbacks.

School officials have a plan in place to compensate for the looming sequestration but it relies on a budget transfer, which requires authorization from the Anne Arundel County Council.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier said $2.7 million has been set aside, ready for a transfer should sequestration be initiated.

"We would go to the council with a bill for a mid-year adjustment transfer to move that money to where it needed to compensate for any cuts in funding," Mosier said.

Jobs that would be affected include special education, transportation, and the free-and-reduced-meals program, which offers meals at reduced rates for low-income families. 

"The impact would be wherever we receive federal dollars," Mosier said.

Mosier did not provide the number of jobs that could be affected, but said he was confident the council would acquiesce to the fund transfer request, despite recent tensions between the two bodies.

Should that transfer go through smoothly, the school system would navigate sequestration without disruptions, Mosier said.

See more:

• How Will Sequestration Budget Impact Anne Arundel?