(AP) — School districts in Kansas face the loss of about $7.2 million this coming school year in federal funding that’s reserved for the highest-poverty schools.

In a letter notifying school districts of the cuts Thursday, the Kansas State Department of Education described the loss in Title I funding as “major.” The department said 5 percent was cut because of the required federal budget cuts, and 0.2 of a percent was cut because of a smaller allocation from Congress.

Title I funding pays for teaching and services at high-poverty schools, including extra math and reading teachers who help struggling students. The money also pays for after-school programs.

Tammy Austin, executive director of administration for the Topeka school district, said the cuts were equivalent to 13 teachers’ salaries and benefits in her district.

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