School Boards Association: NY Could Lose $164M In Funding To Fiscal Cliff

BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- School districts in New York state stand to lose $164 million in federal funding in the 2013-14 school year if Washington doesn't avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" by Jan. 2.

An analysis by the New York State School Boards Association released Tuesday showed districts would lose an average of $243,000 earmarked largely for educational programs serving students with disabilities and students living in poverty.

The association's executive director, Timothy Kremer, said the Big Five school districts have the most to lose. His group's analysis of federal grant allocations estimates New York City's potential loss at $95 million. Buffalo could lose $4 million, Rochester, $3.4 million and Syracuse and Yonkers, $1.6 million each.

The analysis is based on an estimated 8.2 percent across-the-board cut in federal programs.

The "fiscal cliff" refers to tax increases and spending cuts that begin in January unless bargainers find alternative savings.

Without action by Congress, tax cuts will expire on all income levels and government funding for numerous programs will be cut at the end of the year.

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