Dear LPS Community,
I want to provide you with an update regarding our district budget and what the next steps in the process look like.
At its regularly scheduled May 14 and May 28, 2026 meetings, the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education received updates on the proposed 2026–2027 Littleton Public Schools budget. Now that the 2026 Colorado Legislative Session has concluded, our Chief Financial Officer was able to share the realities of the decisions made at the state level. He also outlined what those decisions mean for our district in the years ahead.
Unfortunately, the message remains the same as what we shared in February. Colorado continues to navigate a significant structural deficit while implementing a new school funding model. We recognize the complexity of that work and the responsibility state leaders carry. At the local level, however, the reality is clear—when state funding falls short, districts must make difficult decisions to close the gap. That gap for next year in LPS is $10.6 million, a substantial cut with significant ramifications.
Over the past three months, we have taken deliberate steps to reduce costs while protecting classrooms as much as possible. To date, we have reduced $1.1 million in central office staffing and another $2.8 million from district operating budgets through position eliminations, reduced hours, and department restructuring. We have also shifted certain expenses to the Ops-Tech fund, creating $5.4 million in general fund savings, and eliminated one-time expenditures to save an additional $500,000. We have taken big steps without impacting programs.
Even with these actions, challenges remain. The priorities our community values most are the ones under the greatest pressure. Competitive compensation is essential to attracting and retaining the employees who make LPS strong. At the same time, our commitment to academic excellence depends on maintaining the broad range of programs and opportunities our students need for their futures.
Every decision has been guided by a clear priority: keeping reductions as far away from students and teachers as possible.
However, education is a people-centered service, and approximately 85 percent of our general fund supports salaries and benefits. Without additional funding, reductions of this scale inevitably affect compensation.
Unfortunately, we are bringing forward to the Board a 2026–2027 budget that does not include a cost of living increase for employees. We are also recommending the Board approve a furlough day, which saves LPS an additional $800,000.
Because there are limited solutions at the state level, the only potential path to additional revenue is locally. As shared in February, district leaders are providing information to the Board of Education as it considers whether to place a mill levy override on the November ballot. A $10 million measure would provide stable, ongoing funding and help address much of the district’s projected gap over the next several years. For taxpayers, this would equate to approximately $25 annually for every $100,000 of home value.
The Board is considering this option carefully while recognizing the broader economic uncertainty many families are experiencing. We are sensitive to that uncertainty as we try to strike a balance between meeting the needs of our students and staff and ensuring that our families can meet their own needs.
Please know that your local representatives in the Colorado House and Senate have worked tirelessly and relentlessly to support public schools across the state. We are grateful for their continued support. However, the State of Colorado has struggled to meet its obligation to serve our schools and children, prompting many districts to appeal to their voters for additional support. Thanks to the generosity and collaboration of LPS voters, such mill levy override elections in the past have helped LPS continue to keep the level of excellence this community expects and its children deserve.
During the June 11, 2026 meeting, the Board is expected to approve the 2026–2027 budget as well as a change to next year’s school year calendar that includes a furlough day. The Board will also hear additional information about the possibilities of a mill levy override during that meeting.
We remain committed to keeping you informed with honesty, clarity, and transparency every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued support of Littleton Public Schools and for the trust you place in us to serve your children well.
With gratitude,
Todd Lambert
Superintendent