During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education voted to move forward with placing a $10 million mill levy override (MLO) on the upcoming November 2026 ballot.

Throughout the summer, the Board and district leadership carefully analyzed various financial paths to address a $10.6 million budget deficit. This funding gap is driven by state-level revenue constraints, ongoing shifts in Colorado’s school funding formula, declining enrollment, and rising operational costs. While the district successfully balanced the 2026–2027 budget using structural cuts, departmental restructuring, and temporary measures—including an employee wage freeze and a scheduled districtwide furlough day—these one-time adjustments are not sustainable long-term solutions.

Without stable, ongoing local funding, the district will face deeper, permanent cuts in the years ahead that will directly impact the people and programs our community values most.

The Board began exploring local revenue options earlier this year after identifying the need to protect the classroom experience. If approved by voters in November, the $10 million MLO will provide dedicated, ongoing local funding to:

• Attracting and Retaining Outstanding Teachers: Ensures competitive compensation by lifting the temporary wage freeze and restoring step advancements– allowing us to recruit and keep top-tier educators who provide exceptional learning and care for every student.

• Sustaining Academic Excellence and Career Readiness: Protects current classroom funding, keeps baseline student-to-teacher ratios intact, and preserves innovative career readiness programming to prepare all students for success after graduation.

• Maintaining Safe, Secure Schools & Operations: Supports critical safety, wellness, and operational needs while preventing future furlough days – restoring full pay to educators and preserving regular instructional days for our students.

"I do not take the prospect of asking our taxpayers for support lightly,” said Board of Education President Chérie Garcia-Kuper. "We have a duty to operate efficiently, stretch every dollar, and remain transparent. Being fiscally responsible also means recognizing when crucial investments are necessary to prevent long-term decline. If we want top-tier outcomes for our kids and a stable environment for our teachers, we must provide the resources to make that possible. Supporting this MLO is the most direct, impactful way to deliver on that promise."

If voters approve the measure in November, the negotiated compensation adjustments for district staff will be reinstated retroactively to the start of the contract year, and the scheduled spring furlough day will be removed from the district calendar.

In the coming weeks, the district will provide factual information regarding the specific details of the MLO, its estimated tax impact for local homeowners, and how these funds will be allocated. Find existing LPS budget and funding information on our Dollars and Sense webpage.

Thank you for your continued strong partnership and genuine support of our students, staff, and schools as we begin the 2026–2027 school year.