COLUMBUS — Ohio’s 613 public school districts educate 1.89 million children, a number equal to the combined populations of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.

And, for at least the next several months, each and every one of those districts will be in financial limbo.

“Our position at this point is to wait and see what Gov. (John) Kasich will do in regard to school funding and several other issues like Race to the Top and School Improvement Grants,” said Springfield City Schools Superintendent David Estrop.

With the state facing an $8 billion budget deficit next year, cuts to education and other state-funded programs are inevitable.

But Gov.-elect Kasich’s victory has added to the anxiety because he wants to scrap the signature reform of Gov. Strickland’s administration — a funding model for K-12 education — without saying exactly what will replace it.

Kasich said he supports consolidation, shared services and school choice as well as efforts to direct more funding to classroom instruction. But it’s unclear what will be cut and how much state funding schools will receive.

Among the concerns: If state aid is scaled back, districts will be forced to put more levies on the ballot. On Nov. 2, voters approved about half of the 214 school issues statewide.

The U.S. Department of Education last week gave local officials another scare, saying Ohio could lose the $400 million it was awarded in Race to the Top funding if it significantly diverts from the plan submitted, which touted the Strickland funding model.

The Kasich administration, however, maintains its K-12 plan will stick with elements important to Race to the Top, such as standards and accountability.

“We are confident that we are going to get every dime Ohio was offered,” said Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols.

Kasich must present his budget plan to lawmakers by March 15.

Before cementing his plan, Kasich said he wants to hear ideas from educators. “I’m calling on them today to bring their best ideas to us in terms of how they can become more businesslike and nothing should be left off the table.”