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Superintendent: PSD enrollment down ~2,000 students; committee to present consolidation criteria in May
Summary
Superintendent Brian Kingsley told the board PSD enrollment fell from over 27,000 to about 25,000 and projected a 2% annual decline, with each 2% equating to roughly $6 million in lost state funding. The Comprehensive Planning Committee will present transparent criteria for any school consolidation decisions in May 2026.
Poudre School District Superintendent Brian Kingsley told the board on March 10 that district enrollment has fallen from ‘‘over 27,000 students to about 25,000’’ in recent years and that projections point to a continued roughly 2% annual decline. He said the trend is concentrated in elementary grades and is driven by lower birthrates and rising housing costs, and that ‘‘every 2% decline means roughly $6 million less in funding’’ because Colorado allocates money on a per‑pupil basis.
Kingsley said declining enrollment has direct staffing and program consequences: staffing comprises about 85% of the district budget, and reduced funding has already contributed to reductions in paraprofessionals, counseling services and some ‘‘specials’’ such as art, music and PE. He framed the Comprehensive Planning Committee’s charge as addressing long‑term structural enrollment changes rather than short‑term budget choices.
After reviewing the committee’s analysis, Kingsley said the committee reached a ‘‘unanimous consensus’’ that the district has ‘‘too many empty seats’’ and is preparing ‘‘clear, transparent criteria for how possible school closure and consolidation decisions would be evaluated.’’ He said those criteria will be presented to the Board of Education in May 2026 and emphasized that ‘‘no decisions about consolidation or about specific schools have been made’’ yet.
Why it matters: Per‑pupil revenue is a primary driver of K‑12 budgets; persistent, system‑wide enrollment declines typically force districts to consider consolidation to protect core services. Kingsley said the committee’s next step is to identify objective measures and to schedule community engagement sessions open to parents, staff, students and neighbors.
Board members and community speakers at the meeting urged the district to prioritize equity, explicit reuse plans for any buildings that might close, transportation and supports for vulnerable students. Several speakers requested that consolidation criteria explicitly consider disproportionality and the needs of students who benefit from smaller, specialized school environments.
What’s next: The Comprehensive Planning Committee will present draft decision criteria to the board in May 2026 and will hold additional community engagement sessions before any formal action. Kingsley encouraged community members to participate in those sessions.
