FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

PROCTOR - Just days remain until $85–million in automatic nationwide budget cuts will take effect, possibly threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs and cutting into vital educational services for children.

"Certainly it's not going to be 100–percent of that $500,000 but if it's 10–percent it's $50,000. And if it's 20–percent we're talking about $100,000 shortfall that we have to make up," said John Engelking, superintendent of Proctor Public Schools.

The Proctor School District receives around $350,000 every year in federal funding for its special education program and another $150,000 for title programs. These students would lose valuable one–on–one instruction and other interventions to close achievement gaps.

And despite any funding reductions, under law, schools would still be responsible for providing the same services.

"We won't be able to do anything other than make sure that our kids get the services that they need and then we have to pick up that tab," said Engelking.

Other areas that could be affected by the federal mandates include Duluth’s growing airport.

"Duluth is one of 60 air traffic control towers nationwide that are proposed to have their hours limited due to employee furlough," said Tom Werner, executive director of the Duluth Airport Authority.

The Duluth Airport Authority says the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a plan in place that would close the operation of its traffic control towers nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

While that doesn't necessarily mean the loss of jobs, it's not without impact.

"The Duluth Airport Authority will need to make a substantial capital investment in the infrastructure needed to allow folks in the cockpit, pilots to remotely activate navigational aids and lighting and other things," said Werner.

Both Republicans and Democrats are struggling to find the right mix between tax increases and spending cuts.

Meanwhile, schools and those in aviation say absorbing the potential costs on such short notice could be detrimental to our future.

Engelking said, "We’ve been kind of fortunate to still maintain the types of programs that we do at Proctor Public Schools, but we certainly don't want to have to pick up any slack and make any changes, especially as it impacts our special education and our title programs."

In addition to education and airports around the country, another impact would be felt in public safety through each state's Office of Justice.

The Duluth Police Department says local programs that could be affected include crime victim services, drug and violent crime task forces and juvenile justice and delinquency funding.