Thompson School District board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves Monroe sale spending and $25 million cash‑flow authorization

Thompson School District R‑2J on June 18 adopted its 2025–26 budget, approved a list of project budgets and contracts funded by proceeds from the recent sale of Monroe Elementary School, and authorized the district to seek up to $25 million through Colorado’s interest‑free cash‑flow loan program to cover timing gaps in property‑tax receipts.

Board members also approved a set of contracts and expenditures over $50,000 that included projects referenced in the Monroe proceeds list. The board approved the project budgets and contracts for the Monroe proceeds 6–1, and approved the expenditures over $50,000 by the same margin; one board member voted no on each of those items. Resolutions adopting the budget, appropriating funds for 2025–26 and authorizing use of beginning fund balances passed by roll calls recorded as unanimous.

The actions finalize a budget that district staff posted publicly on May 28 and presented in a June 9 public forum and subsequent study sessions. Chief financial staff told the board the district will convert the posted proposed budget to an adopted budget following the board vote and will continue to publish clarifications and updated explanatory headings on the district website.

Board members framed the votes as a compromise between the district’s long list of capital and maintenance needs and the limited Monroe proceeds. Board member Nancy Rumpel criticized portions of the spending list, calling some athletic upgrades “a want. It’s not a need,” and unsuccessfully moved to narrow the list and reserve most proceeds for items brought back to the full board with detailed scopes and bids. Her amendment failed and the board then approved the staff’s recommended project list.

The board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the State of Colorado interest‑free cash‑flow loan program, allowing the district to borrow up to $25 million and repay the loan within days after receiving property‑tax distributions. Staff said the district will only draw what actual cash‑flow needs require and will not borrow the full authorization unless necessary.

On the formal budget measures, the board adopted the district’s 2025–26 budget, approved the resolution of appropriation that summarizes revenues and expenditures across funds, and approved the resolution permitting use of beginning fund balances for the coming fiscal year. The total adopted expenditures cited by staff approximate $286 million for the fiscal year.

Board discussion flagged several details staff said they would continue to clarify, including the breakdown of instructional supply allowances and the differences between projects listed under proceeds versus capital funds (examples include mercury floor abatement costs and shot‑clock/electrical work that vary by site). Staff said some work had been started and funded out of capital accounts to meet school‑year timing requirements and that more detailed quotes and cooperative‑purchasing records are available on request.

The board also approved routine consent personnel and other consent items earlier in the meeting, which included the personnel appointments announced publicly at the start of the session. Staff said the finalized adopted budget will be implemented immediately and that public questions and comments received during the meeting will be incorporated into the public record or used to refine project detail.