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Mesa County Valley SD51 projects tight 2025–26 budget despite small per‑pupil increase
Summary
District finance staff told the Board of Education that a roughly $429 (4%) increase in per‑pupil revenue will be largely offset by enrollment declines, reductions to student‑count averaging, rising health and transportation costs, and other mandated expenses, leaving the district with a narrow projected net revenue gain for 2025–26.
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 officials presented a budget update to the Board of Education on the district's fiscal outlook for the 2025–26 fiscal year, forecasting a small net increase in revenue but significant cost pressures.
Mel (district staff) told the board the district's per‑pupil revenue (PPR) is projected to rise by about $429 — roughly 4% — next year, but projected enrollment declines (about 483 fewer students) and changes to the state’s student‑count averaging will reduce the district’s funded FTE by about 665, producing only “about a million dollar increase or a half a percent” overall. Mel said, “we have delayed the formal presentation of the budget to May 27 to allow for the most complete budget possible to be presented.”
Why it matters: the PPR increase does not by itself cover several large, recurring cost increases the district must budget for, including a midyear health‑insurance increase and a new student‑transportation contract. Mel told the board that the district projects $2.9 million in new revenue next year but has…
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