Adams 12 board hears budget warning as state school‑finance uncertainty looms; adopts resolution for adequate funding

Superintendent Chris Godowsky told the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education on Feb. 26 that personnel decisions and a precarious state budget picture are the district’s immediate priorities as officials plan next year’s school budgets.

The board received a budget update from Gina Lanier and district finance staff that laid out multiple scenarios tied to proposed state changes, such as House Bill 1448 and changes to pupil‑count averaging. After the presentation the board unanimously adopted a resolution calling for adequate and equitable state funding for Colorado public education.

Why it matters: district leaders warned that declining enrollment and several possible legislative outcomes could cut district revenue by millions of dollars next year and force difficult choices for staffing, classroom supports and programs. The board’s resolution repeats findings from state adequacy studies showing a multi‑billion dollar shortfall statewide and urges lawmakers to act to preserve K‑12 funding.

Godowsky opened the update by emphasizing personnel and staffing stability as the district’s top concern, saying…