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District lobbyist says state budget closes with a $200 million boost for K‑12; board warned of a multi‑year structural deficit
Summary
Amy Atwood, District 20’s contract lobbyist, told the school board the Joint Budget Committee wrapped the state budget and that the school finance act is expected to increase K‑12 funding about $200 million for 2026–27; she cautioned that officials used reserves and one‑time cuts to close a roughly $900 million gap and warned of a structural deficit ahead.
Amy Atwood, the district’s contract lobbyist, told the Academy District 20 Board of Education that Colorado’s budget negotiations have largely closed and that the school finance act is on track to provide roughly $200 million more for K‑12 education in 2026–27.
“At the state level, K‑12 education is being increased about $200,000,000,” Atwood said, adding that the new finance formula will roll to 30% and student averaging will be applied over three years.
Atwood told board members the Joint Budget Committee closed a roughly $900 million gap by reducing the state reserve and cutting Medicaid and other line items. She said some of the measures used to balance the budget were one‑time or nonrecurring and signaled caution for districts.
“The state did have a big deficit. They closed it… They reduced the state reserve from 15% to 13%,” Atwood said, describing decisions that helped close the shortfall.
Board members asked when the district could be confident the funding was final. Atwood replied that passage of the school finance act through both chambers and the absence of a gubernatorial veto would be the final step: once the finance act passes the House and the budget negotiations are complete, she said, the district can consider the allocation final.
Directors used the update to press staff about outreach to lawmakers and how to prepare for the possibility of mid‑year rescissions. Atwood said the legislature faces a structural, multi‑year deficit and that turnover from elections could require continued outreach and education of new members.
Why it matters: The budget outcome determines how much money the state allocates to local school districts. Board members said they plan to continue advocacy with legislators to protect district funding and to prepare for potential mid‑year adjustments.
What’s next: Atwood said the school finance act should finish its concurrence steps shortly; the board and district staff will continue legislative outreach during the interim.
Sources: Remarks by Amy Atwood to the Academy District 20 Board of Education during the April meeting.
