WASHINGTON, DC-- Recently the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board voted to cut 13.2 million dollars in funding from the school district's budget, resulting in the elimination of preschool, spring sports programs, summer school, and busing for high school students.

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) sent a letter to Secretary Arne Duncan to request that he use Department of Education discretionary funds to assist the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for the remainder of this academic school year.  The cuts were a result of the state of Ohio's requirement that the school district have a balanced budget by October 31, 2011.  She is also urging the Department of Education to review ways in which it can assist other school districts around the country who face similar budget issues.

"Every child deserves a quality education. It is one of the great equalizers in our society. However, this action almost ensures that students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District will not have the same opportunity as other children.  The programs to be eliminated help make sure that our students start kindergarten ready to learn, have safe transportation to and from school, and learn lifelong lessons on the sports field.  We should not balance the budget on the backs of students, and their families," said Congresswoman Fudge.  

The letter can be found here.

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