East Otero School District R-1 Announces Budget Challenges, Staffing Reductions to Ensure Long-Term Stability

Description: East Otero School District R-1 Superintendent Patrick J. Krumholz outlines budget challenges driven by declining enrollment, past overspending, and state funding cuts, while reaffirming a commitment to transparency and student success in La Junta. Read the Full Letter to the La Junta Community...

East Otero School District R-1 Addresses Financial Shortfall, Outlines Budget Cuts and Path Forward

Dear La Junta Community,

As your Superintendent, I am writing to share important information regarding the financial health and future of our school district. Like many districts across Colorado, East Otero School District R-1 is currently facing a significant financial challenge that requires us to make difficult decisions to ensure our long-term stability.

To maintain a balanced budget, we must implement immediate reductions in spending, which will unfortunately include cuts to our staffing levels. This decision was not made lightly, as we deeply value every member of our team and their dedication to our students.

Why We Are Facing This Challenge

Several converging factors have brought us to this point:

• Historical Overspending: Over the past several years, the district has consistently spent more than it has received in annual revenue, leading to the depletion of our savings and reserve accounts.

• Decreased Enrollment: Statewide trends in declining birthrates and shifts toward alternative schooling have resulted in fewer students enrolled in our traditional classrooms, directly reducing the per-pupil funding we receive.

• Reduced Funding: Colorado is currently facing a state budget shortfall of up to $1.2 billion, which has led to significant cuts in state aid to K-12 education. Additionally, federal funding sources that supported districts through recent years are also being reduced.

Our Commitment to You

Our primary focus remains providing a high-quality education for every student in La Junta. We are working closely with the Colorado Department of Education to develop a corrective action plan that prioritizes the classroom experience while restoring our fiscal health.

We understand that this news is unsettling. We are committed to transparency throughout this process and will provide regular updates as specific plans for staffing and program adjustments are finalized.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our schools during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Krumholz, Ph.D.

Superintendent, East Otero School District R-1

Follow SECO News on Facebook.
Subscribe to the SECO News YouTube Channel.

Press releases Sponsor