SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Unified School District is now looking at up to $200 million in cuts in order to balance its budget -- a major increase from the $80 million shortfall they projected six months ago.

With state budget cuts looming and SD Unified's new projection, the Gifted and Talented Education program (GATE) has found itself on the chopping block.

"They are the hope for the future, they're often the ones who are going to cure cancer and be our leaders of our future," said GATE Director Marcia DiJiosia.

One of those students is Katie Flynn, who is part of the GATE program along with 25,000 other students. The program identifies and supports the learning of students with very high potential and unique talents. Katie is in fifth grade but reads at a 7th-grade level.

"She's reading at a junior high level, so she's in fifth grade and the books that we are reading are 6th to 8th grade, and she has full comprehension of everything," said Katie's mother, Candi Flynn.

Flynn said without the program, Katie would never reach her potential.

"I think she's been pushed along because of GATE and I think it makes a big difference," said Flynn.

DiJiosia said the school district plans on closing its central office, and doing that would eliminate testing and instructional assistance which is considered the heart of the program.

A district representative said if the state decides to cut funding further, GATE won't be the only program on the chopping block.