District 11 board hears public comment and details of proposed 2025–26 budget that emphasizes pay and instruction

Superintendent Joel Goll and Deputy Superintendent/Chief Resource Officer Brandon Comfort presented Colorado Springs School District 11’s proposed 2025–26 budget at a May 28 special meeting, outlining a district-wide compensation increase, higher shares of spending on instruction and planned capital investments.

The superintendent read the message that opens the district’s 2025–26 budget book and said the plan “continues to prioritize what matters most, compensation,” including “a 10% raise across the board and higher recurring increases for roles that directly support instruction.” Comfort told the board the proposal increases the portion of general-fund spending directed to instruction to 59.9% (up from roughly 57%) and that the district expects to present a midyear true-up as state funding figures finalize.

The district’s budget presentation included these figures and points presented to the board: expected per-pupil funding of $11,546 (subject to midyear adjustment), total general-fund…