GET 2.23.26

1

School-Based Conversations

Winter 2026

17

Our Purpose Today

18

We will continue to discuss this topic and update you as more information becomes available.

Building Working Agreement Norms

19

Protect Academic Programming

Protect Jobs

Honor Collective Bargaining Agreements

Academic Leadership Team Collaboration

Monitor Enrollments

Monitor Course Registration

​

20

LEVEL MEETING PREVIEW

Budget Reductions

21

School Budgeting:

What Is Different as we plan for 2026-27?

• School SBB Reduction: The district will be adjusting base per pupil funding to reduce budgetary allocations to schools.
• We will preserve the factor for at risk funding
• We will increase the factor that gives more money to smaller schools to ensure small schools have adequate funding
• Central Department Reductions: The district announced central department reductions of approximately 6% on average, which is a reduction in ~139 FTE positions and a variety of purchased services, supplies and materials.
• Because departments support students and schools, there will be service level impacts – though these are expected to be minimal.
• If you would like to learn more, please see January 7 Board of Education Study Session Presentation slides and recording (1:15:08 – 2:31:47).

22

Standley Lake high School’s Budget

23

Jeffco schools are reducing their budgets by a combined ~$14M.

For the 2026-27 school year our one time BRB Reduction is 2.5%

The other factors that influence our budget every year include:

• Grade levels we serve including instructional programming
• School size (smaller schools are reducing less than larger schools)
• At-risk student enrollment
• Other sources, including Title I and state reimbursements for some programs
• Our total budget was determined by our projected enrollment for next year, which is 999. a [55 student decrease] from this year.

Our continued challenge: Enrollment Decline

• SBB allocation is just one component of school budgets.
• Enrollment is the largest factor in determining a school’s budget. When schools have fewer students, they adjust their budgets to serve the number of students they now have.
• School population also impacts school budgets. When fewer students identified as at-risk enroll, schools may receive less at-risk funding from the district or federal Title 1 funding.
• Jeffco’s enrollment continues to decline due to long-term demographic shifts and changes in birth rates. Jeffco faced a more than 5% decline in enrollment over the last four years, or 4,259 fewer students, and this trend is expected to continue at a similar pace.

24

Where we can make budget choices

25

• About 95% of school funding is committed to essential, day-to-day operations (classroom teachers, office staff, and other core needs).
• In Jeffco, principals make decisions on how to use the remaining ~5% of flexible funds.
• At our school we will work together to decide how to use these flexible funds. Principals collaborate with School Accountability Committees (SACs), staff, and families to make thoughtful decisions about this portion of the budget.

>> Your input matters in shaping how we use the funds we can influence.

​

School Budget Development Timeline

26

• Sept-Nov: Our school has been making preparations for anticipated budget cuts and potential enrollment declines
• Week of Jan 12: School receives projected 2026-27 budget, based on budget reduction and projected enrollment for next year
• Jan–Feb: Budget planning, school priorities survey, and SAC/staff input
• Jan–Mar 2026: Collaborative staffing and budget decisions made, aligned to negotiated agreements
• Impacted JCEA Employees informed no later than March 15
• Impacted JESPA Employees informed as soon as possible, throughout the year
• Spring 2026: Internal hiring process to support impacted staff
• June 2026: Reductions take effect

What this means for our school

27

We will need to make reductions.

• These choices will be difficult and services will be impacted
• Our focus will be:
• Supporting our impacted staff and retaining our people whenever possible in open positions, through natural turnover and attrition
• Protecting resources that our students, staff, and families prioritize to serve students
• Using collaborative decision-making with our staff and SAC
• Being transparent about the process and the trade-offs
• Following all steps in our negotiated agreements

A United Voice for Revenue Generation

28

Across every conversation — from our Partnership for Fiscal Sustainability, Community Partner Convening, Financial Advisory Committee to parents, staff and community members — There has been unequivocal support for pursuing new, local revenue as a cornerstone of Jeffco’s long-term fiscal sustainability.

�This collective belief is grounded in a shared goal: protecting learning, opportunity, and the extraordinary experiences that define Jeffco schools.

Jeffco is the second largest school district in the state and falls behind several Front Range districts when it comes to funding

29

29

Front Range District Funding based on FY25*

*data to be updated in Spring 2026 when CDE releases latest figures

Our Call to Action

30

This month a broad-based committee — educators, families, community leaders, and partners — will begin meeting to shape the path toward a 2026 ballot measure.

Their charge: craft a compelling, community-driven proposal that sustains Jeffco’s excellence through:

• Safe and welcoming schools
• Career-connected learning and modernized pathways
• Competitive compensation for outstanding educators

Fiscal sustainability is more than balancing a budget — it’s a promise to Jeffco’s students that opportunity will endure. Together, we can ensure this generation and the next inherit a district that is strong, stable, and deeply supported by its community.

Visit the Budget Reduction Blueprint webpage for more information

Community input so far

Survey question: “As we plan for next year’s budget, what matters most to you about your child’s school experience?”

​

Core Academic & Instructional Priorities

• Teacher Quality & Retention: Focus on hiring highly qualified, supportive teachers and reducing turnover to build stable student-teacher connections.
• Rigorous Programming: Support for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Concurrent Enrollment, and STEM pathways.
• Specialized Learning: Robust funding for IEP, 504 plans, and SPED resources to meet individual student accommodations.
• Class Size: Prioritizing smaller teacher-to-student ratios to facilitate one-on-one instruction.

​

31

Visit the Budget Reduction Blueprint webpage for more information

Community input so far

Survey question: “As we plan for next year’s budget, what matters most to you about your child’s school experience?”

Safety & Infrastructure

• Safety & Inclusion: Ensuring buildings are physically secure and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment.
• Modern Technology: Providing updated, functional Chromebooks and digital literacy tools.
• Facility Maintenance: Keeping buildings and equipment in good working order.
• Transportation Equity: Reliable busing for both athletic programs and academic needs.

​

​

32

Visit the Budget Reduction Blueprint webpage for more information

Community input so far

Survey question: “As we plan for next year’s budget, what matters most to you about your child’s school experience?”

Extracurriculars & Electives

• Athletics: Funding for sports programs, including specific facilities and travel needs.
• The Arts: Sustaining music and performing arts programs as a core part of a well-rounded education.
• Diverse Choices: Offering a wide range of electives and clubs that allow students to explore personal interests.

​

​

33

Visit the Budget Reduction Blueprint webpage for more information

Community input so far

Survey question: “As we plan for next year’s budget, what matters most to you about your child’s school experience?”

Future Readiness & Life Skills

• Career Pathways: Support for vocational training (Warren Tech), job-related experiences, and college readiness.
• Functional Skills: Emphasis on teaching "actual life skills" and social-emotional development.
• Scheduling Flexibility: Providing varied scheduling options to ensure students can meet graduation requirements.

​

​

34

Enrollment

October Count 1059

26/27 Projected 999

• 4.8 FTE loss
• 2% Budget

Reduction