1. Upholding Excellence in LPS

Q: How are Littleton Public Schools performing right now?

A: LPS remains a destination district and one of Colorado’s top-performing school systems. Our students consistently outperform surrounding districts and state averages in academic achievement, graduation rates, and career readiness.

Q: If LPS is doing so well, why are we talking about budget issues?

A: Our schools are doing great, but state funding isn't keeping up with rising costs. Even though our local representatives fought hard for us, Colorado state funding simply falls short of what it costs to run high-quality schools today. When the state underfunds our schools, it’s up to our local community to step in and protect them.

2. Big-Picture Financial Pressures Across Colorado

Q: Why are school districts across the metro area facing budget gaps right now?

A: What we are seeing in Littleton is part of a broader regional reality driven by three major forces:

1. Fewer Local Kids & Higher Housing Costs: Birth rates across the metro area are down, and high housing costs means fewer young families are moving in. Because Colorado funds education on a per-pupil basis, fewer students directly reduces state revenue.

2. State Budget Shortfalls: The State of Colorado faces a multi-hundred-million-dollar deficit. Combined with updates to the K-12 finance formula, districts with smaller high-need student populations were left with steep funding shortfalls ($10.6M for LPS this year).

3. Rising Everyday Costs: Just like household budgets, costs for things like gas, utilities, employee healthcare, and retirement have spiked—right as temporary pandemic relief funds ended.

3. Responsible Fiscal Stewardship: What LPS Has Already Cut

Q: How did LPS work to close its $10.6 million budget gap for the 2026–2027 school year?

A: To protect classrooms, LPS took immediate internal cost-saving steps before considering turning to taxpayers:

• Central Office Reductions: Cut $1.1 million by eliminating administrative positions and reducing work hours.

• Operational Cuts: Cut $2.8 million across district departments and operational budgets.

• Strategic Fund Shifts: Shifted $5.4 million of eligible costs from the General Fund to the Ops/Tech fund.

• One-Time Spending: Saved $500,000 by eliminating non-essential one-time expenditures.

Q: Did these cuts affect district staff?

A: Because 85% of the operating budget goes directly to salaries and benefits, large budget gaps eventually impact personnel. To balance the budget, the district had to freeze cost-of-living pay increases and schedule a districtwide furlough day for March 19, 2027 (saving $800,000).

4. Looking Ahead: The November 2026 Local Solution

Q: What is the district considering to stabilize funding long-term?

A: The Board of Education is evaluating placing a Mill Levy Override (MLO) on the November 2026 ballot to generate stable, ongoing local funding.

Q: What would the local Mill Levy Override fund?

A: Revenue would be strictly dedicated to three core priorities:

1. Attracting and Retaining Outstanding Teachers: Ensures competitive pay so we can recruit and keep top-tier educators who provide exceptional learning and care for every student

2. Sustaining Academic Excellence and Career Readiness: Expands innovative programming and career technical opportunities to prepare all students for success after graduation

3. Maintaining Safe and Secure Schools: Helps fund critical safety and security operations so every student has a safe environment in which to thrive

Q: How much will the proposed measure cost the average homeowner?

A: The estimated tax impact is approximately $25 per year for every $100,000 of home value.

Q: Doesn’t marijuana tax money fully fund Colorado public schools?

A: No, this is a common myth.

• Marijuana tax revenue accounts for less than 2% of Colorado’s total K–12 budget.

• By state law, marijuana taxes cannot be used for daily operational costs like teacher salaries, textbooks, or classroom supplies—they are legally restricted to competitive grants for school building repairs and construction.

Q: LPS passed measures in 2018 and 2020—why is more funding needed now?

A: Past voter support was legally restricted to specific, one-time purposes:

• 2018 Bond: Legally restricted to capital construction, building repairs, ADA accessibility, and safety upgrades.

• 2020 Measure: Targeted specifically to protect instructional technology and bridge temporary pandemic funding cuts.

• Neither measure covers ongoing cost increases, smaller class sizes, or competitive teacher salaries required to keep pace with the metro area.

Q: How much of the LPS budget goes to central administration?

A: Less than 2% of our general operating budget goes to central administration. LPS keeps administrative overhead as low as possible and made central office staffing cuts first to keep cuts away from students.

Q: What happens if the Mill Levy Override (MLO) does not pass?

A: If voters do not pass the measure, the temporary cost-cutting measures stay in place, and deeper cuts will be required for the 2027–2028 school year:

• In the short term (2026–2027 school year): The scheduled employee furlough day (March 19, 2027) and employee wage freezes will remain in place.

• In the longer term (2027–2028 school year and beyond):

  • Deeper budget & staffing cuts: LPS will have to cut more positions and programs across the district.

  • Minimal pay raises: Pay increases for teachers and staff will be kept to a bare minimum.

  • Loss of top teachers: LPS risks losing high-quality educators to neighboring school districts that offer higher, more competitive pay.

  • Reduced career & academic programs: Students will face fewer career-readiness opportunities, hands-on technical programs, and specialized electives.