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District presents FY26 draft budget projecting $2M deficit, fewer teachers and lower grants amid enrollment decline
Summary
Steamboat Springs School District staff presented the fiscal year 2026 draft budget May 19 showing use of more than $2 million from reserves to balance rising costs and declining revenues, proposed staffing reductions tied to lower enrollment and several expiring grants, and a food service deficit tied to a planned reusable-dish pilot.
District finance staff presented a draft fiscal year 2026 budget to the Steamboat Springs School Board on May 19 that uses accumulated fund balance and proposes staffing and program adjustments in response to declining enrollment and the end of several grant awards.
The presentation, led by Stephanie (district finance staff), said the proposed general fund budget includes more than $2 million in use of fund balance to cover the gap between rising expenses and declining revenues. The district is budgeting a projected ending general fund balance of roughly $11.15 million by June 30, 2026, equivalent to about 22% of expenditures under the current draft.
Why it matters: The draft budget sets the spending framework for the district and underpins the compensation package approved by the board the same evening. Board members emphasized the tradeoffs between maintaining reserves for cash flow and paying higher salaries.
Topline numbers and revenue changes: The district estimates a funded pupil count of 2,493 and a per‑pupil funded amount just over $12,000 under the state finance formula. State per‑pupil…
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