Schools aim to tighten belts — even while serving more students
School districts are facing budget cuts because of increasing costs. Some will go to the voters this fall for help. Here is a breakdown of the state’s large school districts:
Jefferson County: 86,182 students — down 26 students from 2006-07. The state’s largest district faces $20 million in cuts over the next five years. The district will pay $1 million more for fuel next year and is expected to go to voters with a mill-levy increase and bond sale.
Douglas County: 52,983 students — up 2,613 from 2006-07. The district has made $21 million in cuts for next year and faces $454,000 more in fuel costs and a 12 percent hike in health-coverage costs. The district is expected to seek a mill-levy override and bond sale.
Cherry Creek: 50,631 students — up 862 from 2006-07. The district cut
$3.2 million from next year’s budget. The district is seeking to sell $203 million in construction bonds and implement an $18 million mill-levy override. Without the mill-levy increase, the district says it will have to cut $12 million.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools: 38,821 students, up 1,480 from 2006. The district is cutting $4.9 million from next year’s budget, on top of $11 million cut the previous two years. The district is investigating a bond election and mill-levy override.
Aurora: 33,573 students, down 3,768 from 2006. The district is cutting
$10 million from its budget next year and investigating a bond issue.
Colorado Springs District 11: 29,518 students, down 511 from 2006. The district is cutting $1.25 million from next year’s budget. The district is considering a mill-levy override.
Jeremy P. Meyer, The Denver Post
