This week's school budget news

Community input on budget focus of Weld board meeting

The District 6 Board of Education invites the public to a community meeting to have conversations about the district’s funding forecast and budget priorities for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. This meeting, scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 25, at Franklin Middle School, 818 35th Ave., will be the third such community meeting; the first two took place in January and February.

The meeting will feature small-group discussions at tables set up in the FMS auxiliary gym, with board members spread among the tables to listen to community members’ conversations. District staff members will present basic budget information and be on hand to answer questions as needed. Attendees will review and comment on the advisory recommendations from the District Accountability Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee, as well as receive the latest financial projections from the state of Colorado for school funding.

Online feedback can be offered at the district’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GreeleyEvansSchools, and by e-mail sent to feedback@greeleyschools.org.

Mesa County Schools propose $5 million in cuts

GRAND JUNCTION – The Mesa County school district is looking at cutting 42 positions, defunding two schools and possibly eliminating summer education to cut nearly $5 million in spending. Watch this 7NEWS report.

School budget checks aren’t quite in the mail

State school districts got some good news Thursday when the House gave preliminary approval to an amended version of the school finance act. The House plan could shrink the $250 million cut districts faced in 2011-12 based on the version of Senate Bill 11-230 that was passed by the Senate.

The plan is based on assumptions about the amount of surplus revenue available when the current state fiscal year ends on June 30. Even if those assumptions prove true, most of the money wouldn’t go to districts until early next year. Read more in Education News Colorado.

 

Financial emergency for Falcon school district

FALCON – A Colorado Springs-area school district has declared a financial emergency because of looming budget cuts. Watch this 9News report.

Pueblo School District mulling $7 million in cuts

PUEBLO – Pueblo School District officials were considering closing schools, furloughing employees and contracting out transportation and custodial services to help cut nearly $7 million to balance its new budget. Watch this 7NEWS report.

Jeffco Public Schools hold hearings about proposed cuts

ARVADA – Jefferson County Public School officials held the first of two rounds of public hearings Saturday to listen to parents, teachers, staff and community members about $40 million in proposed cuts. Watch this 9News reports.

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