District finance presentation shows modest new state money, projects deficit spending and cuts risk

Heidi Anderson presented the Canyon City Schools proposed 2025–26 budget at a special board meeting on May 29, 2025, saying the district will receive $556,322 in new money under the state—s revised school finance formula but still faces projected deficit spending that will draw down reserves.

Anderson said the new funds come from changes under the recently adopted school finance law and a companion implementation bill, but cautioned that full relief depends on future phases of the state—s rollout. "So the new formula on the 4 year averaging, 15% implementation, meant new money of $556,322," Anderson said.

The presentation matters because the district—s operating revenue mix is largely state and local property tax dollars; Anderson told the board the district—s general fund revenues are about 31% local and close to 60% state. Under the draft budget she presented, total revenue is $38,845,000 and total expenses are $39,000,006.61, leaving a planned draw from reserves that would reduce the ending general fund balance to roughly $8.0 million (about 20–21 percent of expenditures), according to the materials Anderson reviewed with the board.

Anderson reviewed how two recent…