Budget cuts could end Georgia Head Start program - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Budget cuts could end Georgia Head Start program

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COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) -
Anna Rolling hopes to get her three year-old son DJ into Head Start in Muscogee County.

Anna told us that she's tried several times to get DJ on that list but the spaces are all full. Now with budget cuts looming, 100 spots in the program could disappear---putting Anna in a very difficult situation. 

"A lot of people don't have arrangements, a lot of people would have to stay home more or potentially lose their jobs because people like me I don't have anyone to watch my kids," Anna said. 

If automatic spending cuts go into effect, the state of Georgia stands to lose about $28.6 million in funding for primary and secondary education, and 400 teachers and staff could lose their jobs. 

"People are nervous, you know people are very anxious because they have families they need to take care of and so they want to know whether or not they are going to have to plan for furloughs," said Enrichment Services CEO Belva Dorsey.

Dorsey says 100 students stand to be impacted in Muscogee County. Faculty and staff positions stand to be eliminated as well. She says they are already preparing for the worst.

"We've started sharing with staff and sharing with them that if the sequestration takes place we would have to implement certain steps," Dorsey said. 

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