In light of the widespread layoffs occurring at the Department of Education, the superintendent of the second-largest public school system in the country claims that any drop in the federal funding received by students in his district will result in "catastrophic harm" from the department's collapse.

The county receives hundreds of millions of dollars for low-income kids and others, according to a video statement made by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

"We receive an excess of $750 million earmarked for poor students, English language learners, students with disabilities, and connectivity investments so that students can be connected with their learning, breakfast and lunch programs," added Carvalho.

According to sources who spoke to ABC News, the Department of Education started wholesale layoffs Tuesday night, cutting its employment by around 50%.

Around 3 p.m. PT on Tuesday, the "reduction in force" notices started to be sent out.

According to senior DOE officials, the RIFs affected about 1,315 employees, leaving 2,183 working for the department.

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"Any reduction at the federal level, specific to these investments will bring about catastrophic harm in Los Angeles and across the country," said Carvalho.

The Department of Education said in a statement issued Tuesday that it will "continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency's purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking."

"This is primarily a streamlining effort for internal facing roles and not external facing roles," a senior DOE official stated in reference to the shutdowns.