Mancos School District Re-6 board adopts 2026–27 appropriated budget and authorizes fund-balance uses

The Mancos School District Re-6 Board of Education unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026–27 budget appropriation and related fiscal resolutions at its June 15 meeting.

Board members adopted an appropriation resolution that, as read into the record, set the general fund at $10,341,564; listed a preschool fund at $470,277; a food-service fund at $420,293; and a pupil activity fund at $315,680. The transcript also recorded a capital projects/reserve line item of $276,100 and an appropriation-per-student figure of $28,179. The board moved and passed the resolution on a roll call vote.

Nut graph: The appropriation clears the district’s spending plan ahead of the July 1 fiscal year start and was accompanied by a separate fund-balance resolution required under Colorado law. Board leaders described the budget as balanced and said the additional Title I funds enabled a small transfer to activity funds to cover athletics referees.

Board members also approved a fund-balance resolution citing Colorado Revised Statutes §22-44-1051.5, which authorizes the board to use a portion of beginning fund balance when disclosed with purpose and a plan to avoid ongoing deficits. The board authorized $58,000 from the capital reserve for the Frank Willis ditch project and $30,000 from a service/food fund to spend down beginning fund balance for near-term needs; the resolution passed unanimously.

The board authorized a capital reserve expenditure for legal services to support a water-rights transfer from Frank Ditch to Willis Ditch. The transcript records the authorized payment as “in the amount of $829.50 50 cents” to Southwest Water and Property Law LLC for those legal services; board discussion indicated the work is underway and part of this year’s budget, and the motion passed.

Votes at a glance: appropriation resolution — approved unanimously; fund-balance resolution (CRS 22-44-1051.5) — approved unanimously; capital-reserve expenditure for water-rights legal services — approved unanimously; consent agenda (monthly bills, superintendent contract, vacation rollover, ESA assurances) — approved unanimously.

Board members and the business manager described the budget as balanced and noted the district received increased Title I funding (reported in the meeting as an increase from 103,000 to 118,000), which allowed the new transfer to the activity fund. A board member requested later clarification on a $420 ice line item in the monthly bills; staff said they would follow up.

The board scheduled the new fiscal year to begin July 1; members said they will continue to monitor projects such as the ditch work tied to the capital reserve expenditures. The meeting record shows the board adjourned following routine calendar and debrief items.