Thompson School District projects $6 million in reductions as state budget shortfall looms
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Summary
CFO Bobby Bridal and CHRO Tiffany Rogers told the board the district has identified about $6 million in reductions and is preparing for possible deeper cuts (up to $9 million) tied to a projected Colorado budget shortfall; board members asked for clearer numbers ahead of April study sessions.
Thompson School District officials presented a verbal budget update at the March board meeting that framed the district’s planning against a statewide fiscal gap.
Bobby Bridal, the district’s chief financial officer, said state leaders face a roughly $1.5 billion shortfall and that the most recent Colorado Department of Education funding run shows Thompson receiving about $325,000 more than the current year — effectively level funding when enrollment declines are considered. "At the moment, the most recent Colorado Department of Education run of our funding shows us getting about $325,000 more than last year," Bridal said.
Bridal said cabinet staff have identified about $6 million in reductions already and are preparing for a worst‑case scenario of about $9 million in reductions. "We were targeting a range of $6 to $9,000,000 in reductions for the Thompson School District," he said, and noted reductions include personnel and non‑personnel items. Bridal also said some employer cost changes (insurance committee action earlier in the meeting) will help the budget by about $500,000.
Tiffany Rogers, chief human resources officer, described an FTE planning process and said principals are finalizing staffing plans for 2026–27. She said office hours and transparency efforts are in place to ensure principals’ needs are considered before final staffing decisions.
Board members asked for more detailed budget data as negotiations and bargaining approach. One board member pressed whether proposed state ballot measures are tax increases or TABOR adjustments; Bridal outlined two possible statewide measures—one that would implement a graduated income tax and another that would adjust TABOR limits to allow additional school funding—but said details and final language are not yet available.
Superintendent Dr. Heller said the district has already identified roughly $6 million in reductions and that the upper range is a worst‑case if certain state revenue pieces do not materialize. He warned that reducing millions of dollars while negotiating compensation will require continued conversation between the board and bargaining partners.
The board did not take action on the district budget at the meeting; members asked staff to present numbers and analysis at upcoming study sessions ahead of the June budget vote.
