Previous Budget Cuts and Mill Levy Elections
In spite of a long history of budget reductions, LPS has maintained a clear focus on meeting the changing needs of its students and increasing student achievement. Alternative education programs were developed. Literacy support was provided for students of all ages. Self-funded preschools were founded. Magnet programs grew from grassroots efforts. Class sizes were lowered, and art was reinstated. This was done at a time when federal mandates (No Child Left Behind) and expectations for achievement and special education services were increasing. Charter schools were implemented during this time, as well.
LPS is running out of options to keep core functions of the district and its facilities operating at levels the LPS community expects and deserves. Solutions can and will be found, but none of those solutions are what we would choose to do in better financial times.
| 1988 |
$3 million mill levy passed |
| 1992-1993 |
$1.7 million in cuts |
| 1993-1994 |
$2.6 million in cuts |
|
1994-1995
|
$1.3 million in cuts |
| 1995-1996 |
$3 million in cuts |
| 1997 |
$5 million mill levy passed |
| 2001-2002 |
$3 million in cuts |
| 2004-2005 |
$3.5 million in cuts |
| 2004 |
$6.5 million mill levy passed |
| 2008-2009 |
$1.5 million in cuts; $1.5 million from reserves; $532,000 mid-year rescission |
| 2009-2010 |
$4 million in cuts |
| 2010-2011 |
$7.5 million in cuts |
| 2010 |
$12 million mill levy passed |
| 2011-2012 |
largest cuts to K-12 funding in Colorado history; mill levy funds used to backfill more than $5 million in cuts from the state |
| 2012-2013 |
$2 million to $5 million in cuts projected |