Issues of 'Buildings and Bucks' Put Squeeze on Charters

By Robert C. Johnston

Washington

The suspension last week of budget talks between the White House and congressional Republicans portends a long period of uncertainty for school districts trying to plan for next fall. And without a budget deal, schools are virtually certain to face big cuts in federal funding when September comes.

Republicans backed out of Jan. 17 talks after demanding that President Clinton revise his most recent balanced-budget proposal, and they are threatening to single out some programs for full appropriations while funding for other programs lapses or...