The Pittsburgh Public Schools board is preparing to vote on a resolution opposing automatic federal budget cuts, which superintendent Linda Lane said would have a "pretty severe impact" on the district.

The automatic cuts, called sequestration, will take place in 2013 unless the U.S. Senate, House and president agree on how to address budget issues.

School officials estimated the district would lose $3.5 million in 2013-14 -- an 8.2 percent decrease -- in federal program money, including Title 1, Title 2, IDEA and Head Start, if the cuts take effect.

The school board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the resolution, which states that the district, its students and families are dependent on federal funding of education, and sequestration would "result in a catastrophic interruption of programs within the district, placing the initiatives for student achievement in grave peril."

Ms. Lane said it is uncertain whether certain special purpose grants, such as the Teacher Incentive Fund, would be affected, but, if so, the loss would be even greater.