State lawmakers have approved a 2012-13 school finance act that keeps average statewide funding flat at $6,474.24 per student, thanks to improved state revenues.
But the various factors used to calculate funding for individual districts mean many still face cuts. Those factors include cost of living, higher operating costs and enrollment declines.
Altogether, the School Finance Act provides $5.3 billion in school total program funding next year. The funding comes from state tax revenues, local property taxes and vehicle taxes.
Click in the box below to see what the act means for your district. The Colorado Department of Education calculated these figures using estimated district enrollments.
How the School Finance Act is expected to affect large districts, state average, biggest winner and loser
- Jefferson County – $6,308.92 per pupil, or 21 cents less per student compared to 2011-12
- Denver – $6,868.29 per pupil, or $4.58 less per student compared to 2011-12
- Douglas County – $6,218.82 per pupil, or $3.80 more per student compared to 2011-12
- Cherry Creek – $6,404.80 per pupil, or 36 cents less per student compared to 2011-12
- Adams 12-Five Star – $6,278.29 per pupil, or 56 cents less per student compared to 2011-12
- Aurora – $6,714.84 per pupil, or 24 cents more per student compared to 2011-12
- State average – $6,474.24 per pupil, or the same per student as in 2011-12
- District losing most – Deer Trail in Arapahoe County would receive $11,904.69 per pupil, or $179.14 less per student compared to 2011-12. The district’s enrollment is expected to grow from 157 students this year to 165 next year.
- District gaining most – Pawnee in Weld County would receive $15,098.72 per pupil, or $758.35 more per student compared to 2011-12. The district’s enrollment of 95 students is expected to drop to 88 next year.
Search tips and data notes
- Numbers in parenthesis are negative.
- To compare districts, hit “Ctrl” and click on as many names as you’d like to see.
- To see statewide averages, scroll down to “Totals” in the School District search box.
- “Total program funding” refers to the combination of state and local funds used to pay for basic school operations. Additional dollars such as federal funding, grants or local tax increases are not included in these numbers.
- Think your district’s data is in error? Email us at EdNews@EdNewsColorado.org.
Data source: Colorado Department of Education district funding spreadsheet.
Is there a way to find out how the per pupil budgets are determined for the different districts? For example, trying to understand why the per pupil funding in Jeffco is $6,308.92 when Pawnee in Weld County is $15,098.72 per pupil?! I understand they have only 88 students, but shouldn’t there be some formula or means to more equally distribute this funding? Thanks.
Education News Colorado has created a topic page on school funding that includes information on overall trends and how state funding is determined, available here – http://www.ednewscolorado.org/topic-school-funding. The page also links to additional resources, such as the state’s 17-page booklet explaining K-12 funding in detail, available here – http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/download/pdf/FY2011-12Brochure.pdf.