FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Poudre School District has worked for months to try to resolve the massive budget shortfall they say is the result of higher costs and continually declining enrollment.
Denver7 followed as the school district’s initial plans of possible school closures in April was met with public outcry, which led to the school board agreeing to take the option off the table about a month later.
Education
Poudre School District puts school closure, consolidation plans on pause
Adria Iraheta
“It’s been a long road, and hopefully what our community sees is that we slowed down, we listened. And now we’re doing what they have asked for, which is go ahead and ask the community to support us once again with a mill levy override,” said Kristen Draper, school board president.
The board unanimously approved a mill levy override to the November ballot. If approved by voters, it would increase property taxes and provide $49 million per year to the school district.
Around $24.4 million would go to building maintenance and repairs, $20 million would go to the general fund costs like salaries, neighborhood schools and classroom materials, and $4.6 million would fund district-authorized charter schools. The district noted that the charter school funding is required by state law.