Budget cuts to hit military school districts first

Saturday March 2, 2013 3:30 AM

By WILL WEISSERT

The Associated Press

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — While public schools everywhere will be affected by the government's automatic budget cuts, few will feel the funding pinch faster than those on and around military bases.

School districts with military ties from coast-to-coast are bracing for increased class sizes and delayed building repairs.

Others already have axed sports teams and even eliminated teaching positions, but still may have to tap savings just to make it through year's end.

The losses will come from cuts to a federal program known as "Impact Aid" that supplements property tax losses for districts that cover federal land, including military posts and Indian tribal areas.

That means about 1,400 school districts serving roughly 11 million children nationwide — including nearly 376,500 students from military families — could lose about $60 million this school year.

©2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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