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Archuleta County School District outlines cautious $21.5 million 2026–27 budget, limits raises to step increases
Summary
Finance Director Eric Burke presented a proposed $21.5 million general fund budget heavily weighted to property tax revenue; the board was shown limited new state aid, a 5% reduction in non‑salary operating budgets, and a plan that allows step increases but no across‑the‑board percentage raises.
Finance Director Eric Burke presented the Archuleta County School District No. 50 Jt proposed 2026–27 budget on May 20, telling the board the plan balances at $21.5 million and relies largely on local property tax revenue.
Burke said total program funding in the presentation was $19.8 million and characterized roughly 92% of that as local property tax share with the remainder coming from the state. He told directors the district’s funded pupil count fell under three‑year averaging to about 1,532.7 students and that salaries and benefits represent about 81% of the general fund. The proposed plan includes a step increase for employees but does not include a uniform percentage salary increase across pay schedules at this time.
Why it matters: Board members said the district’s heavy reliance on local revenue and the phased implementation of the new school finance model limit flexibility for raises and other investments. Burke said the current calculation yields a modest net increase in state funding under phased implementation and that the district is planning conservatively to avoid committing to unsustainable recurring costs.
Key details: Burke described about $560,000 in grant fund revenue (Title I, II, IV and a coaching grant) and a capital projects plan that adds roughly $374,000 in new projects plus previously funded work carried forward from prior years. He also noted miscellaneous state payments such as at‑risk, transportation, English‑learner and CTE funding, as well as Medicaid and Secure Rural Schools receipts, that supplement program totals.
Board members pressed on specifics. A director asked whether the difference between the presented total program funding and the general fund revenues reflected the district’s mill levy override and other state payments; Burke replied that the additional items—Medicaid reimbursements and forest reserve payments among them—explain much of the gap. When asked about enrollment outreach, Burke said, “There is not an orchestrated marketing plan.”
Contingencies and next steps: The district will consider using reserve funds for a one‑time midyear bonus if October true‑up numbers permit a sustainable increase; Burke said that remains a secondary plan. He also said the state education bill was on the governor’s desk and that the district will monitor final state actions and submit required budget documents (including the uniform budget summary) to the Colorado Department of Education. The board is scheduled to take formal action on the budget at its June 3 meeting.
What the presentation did not resolve: The presentation noted specific dollar figures and slide numbers; several line items in the spoken transcript were unclear (see audit). The board asked for continued review and will rely on the June 3 action meeting to finalize budget adoption.
