Woodland Park schools project state share of funding will fall to 37% by 2027
A district briefing says local tax collections have grown as the state’s share of school funding declines. It also outlines a sales tax scenario that could help pay building debt.
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Woodland Park School District plans to tell the City Council on Oct. 15 that the state’s share of its total-program funding is projected to fall from 63% in fiscal 2020 to 37% in fiscal 2027. The city agenda lists the presentation, and the district briefing gives the projections.
Colorado’s school-finance formula counts local property and specific-ownership tax revenue toward a district’s Total Program amount, with the state covering the remaining share, the Colorado Department of Education explains. The district briefing reports that property-tax collections rose $6.05 million over the period while the state contribution fell $4.61 million and specific-ownership tax revenue rose $170,000.
The briefing also says $7.62 million remains on a building-related Certificate of Participation, with payments of about $725,000 a year through November 2036. It outlines a proposed 0.25% sales tax as one possible way to help cover the debt, estimating it could raise about $725,000 in fiscal 2027. The presentation is scheduled for discussion; the agenda does not call for a council decision on a new tax.