Local districts aren't sure yet how they'll be affected by any potential cuts. Programs KDE is considering reducing include dropout prevention, gifted and talented and community education, among others.
How districts are affected will largely depend on how much money they receive from the state for those programs, Gross said.
"We're developing our plan, but listening to superintendents," Gross said. "And they're not shy."
Depending on what programs see reductions, district officials will need to decide if they want to fund them through their general funds or if they can go without it.
Local superintendents said they weren't surprised when they read Holliday's e-mail Monday.
Boyle County Superintendent Mike LaFavers said he is trying not to worry too much until something becomes official because he needs to be focusing on what is going on in the classrooms and the district now.
Without knowing specifics it's hard for districts to know how they'll be impacted, but Danville Superintendent Carmen Coleman said she is trying to stay positive and on top of the most up-to-date information regarding possible cuts.
Cuts to programs will force districts to think differently and look for new opportunities, she said.
"We aren't going to let anything get in the way of what we want to provide," she said.
Burgin Superintendent Richard Webb said one thing he has been doing is talking with KDE officials about what is important for Burgin such as Read to Achieve and Family Resource Youth Service Centers. Read to Achieve is a reading grants that provides money to schools for reading coaches and tutors.
"We have more than 99 percent of our primary students reading on grade level because of what we're able to do with this grant," he said. "Our primary teachers are excellent, but they can't do it alone."
Family resource centers indirectly benefit students because they work on helping the whole child and the whole family. They help remove barriers that inhibit a student's ability to learn, he said.
Mercer County Superintendent Chuck Hamilton said the General Assembly has done a great job of shielding schools from cuts, but education isn't immune.
With the tough decisions facing KDE in the coming months, Hamilton said he knows students are going to be impacted.
"Some kid somewhere is going to be affected in a negative way," he said.
