Local educators are casting a wary eye on the Obama administration’s recent offer to release states from some of the most stringent aspects of the federal No Child Left Behind law in exchange for taking on a new set of regulations. Obama’s Race to the Top initiative would make test scores a component of teacher and administrator evaluations, while imposing standards meant to better prepare students for college and careers.

As districts across Sonoma County scramble to make ends meet with approximately 25 percent less funding from Sacramento than they received three years ago, officials are turning a sharp focus on attendance rates that are tied to state funding.

North Coast educators are trying to determine how the state’s $19 billion budget deficit will shape classrooms next year. Scores of layoffs announced in March were made final Friday. School officials say they have to move forward with continued cuts because final budget numbers may not be known for months.