(AP) -- The nation's public schools are falling under severe financial stress. States are slashing education spending and draining federal stimulus money that staved off deep classroom cuts and widespread job losses.
School districts have already suffered big budget cuts since the recession began two years ago. But experts say the cash crunch will get a lot worse as states run out of stimulus dollars. The result in many hard-hit districts is more teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, smaller paychecks and fewer extracurricular activities.
A recent report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that 41 states face midyear budget shortfalls totaling $35 billion.
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