A Message from Dr. Brad Meeks
In May, a Colorado Public Radio news headline read, “The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Tearing a $3 Billion Hole in Colorado’s Budget.” Today, we have a better understanding of how the Steamboat Springs School District will be affected by the state budget crisis. In the 2020-2021 school year, our revenue budget will be reduced by $1.2 million. Excluding the Federal stimulus, the reduction would have been $2.4 million. In the budget approved by the school board on June 29, 2020, cost savings were generated by reducing positions that were vacant due to attrition through retirements or resignations, reallocating staff into student-facing positions, and reductions in expenses related to curriculum materials, professional development, software, and supplies. 

The approved budget has a $525,000 deficit in the General Fund for 2020-2021. The deficit represents 8% of the District’s unrestricted fund balance. Three significant issues remain uncertain that could further impact the District’s budget in the year ahead. Those are:

  • The District may be able to use some of the CARES federal stimulus to offset the deficit. However, this one-time money will likely not be available next year. 
  • As of June, Per Pupil Funding was reduced by $645 (FY20’s $8,640 to FY21’s $7,995). The State Legislature could rescind per pupil funding from districts mid-year depending on evolving economic circumstances. Student count multiplied by per pupil funding is the largest source of funding for the District.
  • We have preliminarily budgeted a 5% decline in enrollment (Pre-Covid, the budget for student count was projected to be flat) next fall due to COVID-19. A parent survey in June suggested 5% of families had varying levels of comfort with having their children return to school. We will know enrollment numbers in October 2020. As a reminder, our intent and plan is for all students to return to school, in-person this fall, unless local or state guidelines prevent it. 

Given the continued uncertainty, the Board of Education has authorized the superintendent to implement up to five furlough days (days not worked and not paid) for all licensed and administrative staff. For all classified employee groups any number of furlough days will be determined by the superintendent without limit, if needed in the 2020-2021 school year. Our hope is that furlough days will not be necessary.

It is a priority in SSSD to maximize our resources. Despite the lingering uncertainty, we are committed to maintaining our programs and high levels of academic performance as well as taking necessary measures to keep our students and staff safe when they return to school in the fall.