Catherine Sielke’s current research interests are both related to examination of the effects of 8 years of cuts in K-12 funding in Georgia. One paper examines the ways in which school districts have changed their spending patterns. The second paper examines the problem of sustainability of educational programs in light of the districts’ use of fund balances, which leaves districts vulnerable to even greater cuts, less ability to borrow for cash flow and/or school facility purposes, and loss of these rainy day funds to meet district emergency needs.