We have all seen the headlines:

• Ritter’s last state sum-up: Budget blitz is needed;
• Littleton schools weigh 100 layoffs to offset $9 million shortfall;
• Colorado school districts plan big cuts, fear more coming;
• JeffCo citizens call for closing schools.

The news from the State Capitol is disturbing; and as we consider the outlook for K-12 education funding in Colorado, the reports keep getting worse. Recent articles from Education Week, Ed News Colorado and Great Education Colorado provide the latest on the school funding crisis in Colorado:

"As school districts plan their 2010-11 budgets in the face of expected statewide cuts of $350 million or more, we know the likely impact on students will be great.  Earlier this week, Joint Budget Committee Member Representative Jack Pommer highlighted another real and immediate impact of school budget cuts on our economy: job losses.
At a St. Vrain Valley School Board meeting reported by the Longmont Times-Call on Tuesday:
Based on an average teacher salary of $50,000, [Joint Budget Committee Member Jack] Pommer estimated 5,000 Colorado teachers will lose their jobs because of the funding cuts."
                                        ~ Great Education Colorado, January 26

And just this week, Education Week released the Quality Counts report that provides snapshots of nationwide school finance data. Again reported in Great Education Colorado, the news is bad for our state:

"We're continuing "the Colorado trajectory" --  falling farther behind the nation and other states that are competing with us for jobs, economic development opportunities and educators.
Here's a comparison of the 2008,  2009, and 2010 Quality Counts data (note that because of the lag in available data, the new statistics are based on 2007 expenditures -- that is, before the current recession):
Per pupil funding, adjusted for regional cost differences:
2008: 38th nationally
2009: 40th
2010: 42nd
Per pupil spending (adjusted for regional cost differences) compared to U.S. Average:
2008: $1,034 below the national average
2009: $1,449 below the national average
2010: $1,919 below the national average
Rank in percent of taxable income spent on K-12:
2008: 43rd
2009: 43rd
2010: 43rd (Hallelujah!)
Rank in teacher pay parity (i.e., how teacher salaries compare to salaries in comparable professions):
2008: 43rd
2010: 50th
That's the context for the current legislative session -- where cuts of at least an average $440 per pupil are virtually certain for the coming school year."
                                        ~ Great Education Colorado, January 26

So what does all of this mean for us in Adams 14?
Last week the State legislature officially approved the recision of not only the 1.93% required setback from last year; but they will also take additional moneys to bring the total to a 2.31% cut from current year revenues. Next, we are anticipating revenue reductions in 2010-11 as high as $3.5 million. Right now Adams 14 is weighing its options to create a balanced budget for next year. We must also consider how to best meet the needs of students within our financial means. Things don’t look like they will turn around until after the 2011-12 school year, so we need to plan for two tough years ahead.

The Board of Education will consider a variety of budget cuts throughout the spring.

Finally, we are seeking input from you as valued members of the Adams 14 community. If you have ideas and suggestions on cutting costs in our District, please let us know. Send an email to the finance department or post a comment on this blog to share your thoughts. The Board of Education will hold two public hearings about the 2010-11 budget on March 23 and April 27.

We are looking for the best solutions, and your ideas will make a difference. One thing is certain – we will do everything possible to keep the budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. While we are not in a position to make promises at this point, we will do our best to preserve staff positions in the District. Look for more updates coming soon as the legislature works through the school finance bill for 2010-11.

Thank you for your understanding as we weather this economic downturn.