Future Funding

Investing in Jeffco Students

Jeffco schools are our greatest shared community investment.

Our public schools belong to all of us. They prepare students for life after graduation, support families and local employers, and play a vital role in the strength and vitality of our community, whether or not you have children in our schools. Strong schools fuel our local economy by developing a skilled workforce, attracting new families to the Jeffco community and helping to protect and enhance property values for everyone.

Jeffco is the state’s second-largest school district, serving 75,000 students across 145 schools, including charter schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is also Jefferson County’s largest employer.

Quick Links

Financial Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

Mill Levy Oversight

Bond Oversight

Selling Closed Schools

How Jeffco Schools Are Funded

A list of funding sources for Jeffco schools is on the left, and a diagram illustrating how local funding stays in Jeffco while the state's share decreases with property tax increases is on the right.

View the alternative text version of this graph and information.

The most effective way to provide additional funding that stays in Jefferson County and supports local students is through voter-approved Mill Levy Overrides (MLOs) and Special Mill Levies.

Learn more about how Jeffco Public Schools is funded

Jeffco Receives Less Public Funding Than Neighboring School Districts

2025-26 Public Revenue Per Pupil Comparison

Did you know? Public school funding comes from both the state and local voter-approved funding measures. When these sources are combined, Jeffco ranks last among neighboring Front Range school districts in total public funding per student. On average, Jeffco receives about $1,878 less funding each year than students in nearby districts—an annual gap that totals roughly $140 million.

2025-26 Public Revenue Per Pupil Comparison

A bar chart displays public revenue per pupil for various school districts, with the foreground showing stacked bars representing different revenue sources and the background featuring a white canvas with a title and axis labels.

Of the revenue noted above, all but the special purpose levy is deposited annually into the district's general fund. This comparison of annual receipts includes both district and charter school revenues. View the alternative text version of this graph.

Why is Jeffco Facing Financial Challenges?

School districts across Colorado are under increasing financial pressure. While schools are expected to do more for students, funding has not kept pace with growing needs and costs.

Inflation and rising operational costs
Competitive compensation needed to attract and retain staff
Increased student safety and mental health needs
Building maintenance and the ability to provide modern learning environments

Living Within Our Means

Before asking the community for more money, Jeffco made difficult, responsible decisions to cut costs and live within our means, but our current resources are not enough.

$40 Million in Permanent Cuts

Jeffco made $40 million in budget reductions for the 2026-27 school year, which will save the district money every year moving forward.

$20 Million Saved Annually from School Closures

By making the difficult but necessary decision to close 21 schools since 2021, Jeffco has saved $20 million in ongoing operating costs each year.

$17.4 Million in Property Sales To Date

Jeffco has generated more than $17.4 million in one-time revenue by selling or leasing closed schools. Every dollar is reinvested in maintaining and improving district buildings. The district uses appraisals and broker estimates to understand a property's potential value. However, a property's actual market value is determined by what buyers are willing to pay when it is offered for sale.

Where the Money Goes

Jeffco’s priority is keeping administrative costs as low as possible, so the majority of funds go directly to what matters most: our schools — students, staff and classroom resources.

More Than 80% of Jeffco's Budget Supports Students and Schools

Combined General Fund Expenditures

Did you know? More than 80 cents of every General Fund dollar goes directly to student programming, school operations, employee salaries and benefits, and student transportation. Only 5 cents (5%) of every dollar supports general administration. That figure will drop to 4 cents of every dollar (4.4%) in the 2026–27 school year, keeping Jeffco among the lowest-spending Front Range districts for general administration.

Combined General Fund Expenditures (excluding charter schools) 2023-24 School Year*

A dollar bill stands to the left of a bar graph illustrating budget allocations, with the tallest bar representing student programming and school services.

*The 2023-24 school year is the most current data set. Graph by Jeffco Public Schools.
Data source: Colorado Department of Education - Financial Transparency.
View the alternative text version of this graph.

How Much Does Jeffco Spend on Administrators?

Did you know?

Jeffco keeps its administrative costs low, as only 6% of our salary and benefits spending goes towards administrators. This is similar to districts like Cherry Creek, Adams 12, and Douglas County, and lower than districts such as Boulder Valley, Littleton and Denver Public Schools, where administrators make up 8% to 10% of the workforce.

Did you know?

Just 68 employees—less than 0.5% of Jeffco's 14,000-person workforce—serve as Central Office administrators (Directors, Executive Directors, Community Superintendents, Associate Chiefs, Chiefs) and provide leadership and support for district finances, academics, transportation, technology, safety and school operations.

Did you know?

Jeffco invests in the salaries and benefits of more than 10,000 full-time employees and 4,000 part-time and seasonal staff who support students and schools. Of that investment, only 6% is used for administrative positions like principals, assistant principals, athletic directors and district department leaders.

Jeffco Salary & Benefits by Employee Category

Jeffco Salary & Benefits by Employee Category, 2023-24 School Year*

A donut chart displays district and charter salary and benefits by category, with the largest slice representing %22Professional - Instructional%22 at 64%.

*The 2023-24 school year is the most current data set. Graph by Jeffco Public Schools. Includes charter schools.
Data source: Colorado Department of Education - Financial Transparency for 2023-24 Jefferson County R-1.
View the alternative text version of this graph.

Who Works in a School District?

Reviewing Staffing Counts in CDE's staffing report.

View Job Categories about Who Works in a School District?

Jeffco's Investment in Teacher Pay

Did you know?

Jeffco receives less local funding from voter-approved mill levy overrides and special-purpose mill levies than any neighboring Front Range school district. Even so, the district continues to prioritize competitive pay and benefits for teachers and staff. As funding gaps grow, sustaining that commitment becomes increasingly difficult.

Did you know?

Even with recent staff pay increases, Jeffco salaries are still not keeping pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. Jeffco currently ranks ninth out of ten Front Range school districts for an average teacher salary, making it difficult to keep talented educators from leaving for higher-paying districts.

MLO Funding Per Student vs. Starting Teacher Salary

MLO Funding* Per Student vs. Starting Teacher Salary

A line graph displays mill levy funding per student versus average teacher salary for various school districts, with a legend on the right showing specific data points.

*Includes mill levy override, abatements, hold harmless and special purpose mill levies. Graph by Jeffco Public Schools.
Data sources: Colorado Department of Education Funding Worksheets and Zillow.
View the alternative text version of this graph.

In addition to using the 2018 Mill Levy Override (MLO) funds to support teacher and staff compensation, Jeffco has invested significant additional General Fund dollars to attract and retain highly-qualified educators and staff.

The Path Forward

We believe Jeffco students deserve better.

Right now, Jeffco students are receiving fewer opportunities and less investment than their peers in neighboring districts. Investing in schools is an investment in the entire community, today and into the future.

What We’re Hearing From Our Community

Families, staff and community members consistently share similar priorities:

Recruit and retain high-quality staff and educators
Expand Career Technical Education (CTE) and career-connected learning programs that prepare students for life after graduation
Provide safe, warm, dry and modern learning environments

As we look toward the future, the work of the Jeffco Partnership is central to our path forward. This collaborative group, which includes parents, educators, business leaders and community members, met January–May 2026 to evaluate revenue generation options to support the long-term needs of our schools and district. They presented their recommendation to the Board of Education on May 11.

Learn more about the work of the Partnership

Investing in Safe, Modern Learning Spaces

Jeffco Public Schools maintains 11.2 million square feet in buildings, the technology and equipment in these buildings, and 120 acres of fields and playgrounds. We also work to replace buildings that are too old to be used anymore. Maintaining and replacing our facilities, equipment, technology and fields costs about $105 million each year.

When voters approved the 2018 bond, it was a game-changer for Jeffco, transforming our schools with upgraded classrooms, modernizing learning spaces and implementing major safety improvements across the district. While we are extremely grateful for that incredible work, the 2018 Bond program is complete, and we no longer have dedicated funding to support critical needs such as:

Basic building maintenance for roofs, plumbing and electrical systems
Climate-controlled spaces with healthy air quality for students
Modern facilities and equipment for labs, learning, performing arts and athletics
Replacement of aging schools and sites when they can no longer effectively and safely serve students
Updated safety equipment and general technology

Oversight & Accountability

Trust matters. Any future funding conversation would include:

Clear public information about how funds are used
Regular reporting and oversight through the Capital Asset Advisory Committee (CAAC), Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) and a new Mill Levy Override Committee

Recommended Resources:

Return on the Community's Investment

Our community is proud of what our schools accomplish every day! With your support, Jeffco continues to prioritize:

arvada west pharm tech student mixes liquid in class

Programs that prepare students for college, careers and life after high school (opens in new window/tab)

Learn More about Programs that prepare students for college, careers and life after high school (opens in new window/tab)

Jeffco principals holding banners in hallway

Dedicated educators and staff who know and care for our students (opens in new window/tab)

Learn More about Dedicated educators and staff who know and care for our students (opens in new window/tab)

view of a school library looking down from a balcony

Investing in our buildings to improve the school experience (opens in new window/tab)

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These priorities are the result of thoughtful planning and responsible use of public resources.

Timeline

The timeline below highlights key milestones leading up to a November ballot measure. While the pace may seem quick, it follows best practices—beginning with community engagement, followed by careful review of recommendations and polling by the Board of Education before any decision to certify ballot language in August.

January–May 2026:

The Partnership for Fiscal Sustainability community committee meets to study Jeffco’s funding needs and explore revenue options.

May 11, 2026:

The Partnership for Fiscal Sustainability presents its recommendation to the Board of Education.

June 2026

The Board of Education may signal its intent to certify a ballot measure
State law requires the district to notify charter schools of the intent to pursue a ballot measure

September 2, 2026:

The Board of Education certifies a ballot measure.

September 2026:

A citizen campaign committee may form.

November 3, 2026:

Election Day.

Stay Engaged

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Jeffco Public Schools Funded?

Where is the money from the closed schools and property sales going? How is it supporting the budget issues?

The critical work Jeffco did to close schools and build stronger, sustainable school communities has had a lasting impact, generating an estimated $20 million in annual savings that continues to this day.

Revenue from sold or rented property, per district policy DN, is credited to the capital reserve. Because property sales are a one-time funding source, they cannot solve ongoing budget challenges, and the district’s capital needs will continue to grow as buildings age and require maintenance. Jeffco’s average annual capital maintenance need is $105M, and these funds can help meet a portion of that obligation.

In some cases, sale proceeds may be realized over multiple years, depending on the structure of the agreement, which can affect the timing of when funds are available. Overall, these revenues provide limited, short-term support toward long-term capital needs.

Learn more about Property Disposition in Jeffco

Why does it seem that Jeffco buildings and property are being sold below “fair market value (FMV)?”

How Much is a Building Really Worth? Understanding the Gap Between Appraisals and Sale Prices

Property valuation is complex and depends on both a property's desirability and the types of buyers interested in a given property type at a given time. The school district uses both appraisal reports and valuations prepared by its broker to determine an approximate value for specific use cases, but it is impossible to determine a “market value” before soliciting offers and determining what the market of potential buyers is really willing to pay for a given property.

Developer values are typically lower due to the costs associated with redevelopment, including obtaining any required zoning changes or plan amendments from city governments, demolishing the building and preparing the site for future use, building infrastructure, and marketing and selling homes. These costs are all incurred by a developer buyer, and are factored into the value for which a property can be sold for development.

For buyers wanting to reuse the building, values could be higher, except in cases where reusing the property would require significant renovations or updates, depending on the buyer’s purpose.

Ultimately, the market value of the property can only be determined once offers are solicited, vetted and adjusted for present-day value.

Key Takeaways:

“Market value” is the amount a real buyer is willing to pay for a property
Sale prices vary greatly on a per-acre basis and against appraised value
Even when soliciting offers to create competitive market conditions, we still experience disparities in value
Appraised values and market values vary greatly based on the land’s underlying zoning and use restrictions
Rezoning a property adds risk that lengthens or jeopardizes the sale process timeline
Community benefit has value that needs to be considered

Previous Sales Data

The table below shows recent property sales and illustrates how sale prices can vary significantly depending on factors such as property size, location, zoning and buyer intent. With the exception of Emory, these sales were conducted through a competitive process designed to reflect real market conditions, meaning prices ultimately reflect what qualified buyers were willing to pay at the time.

Property	Size (in acres)	Sale Price	Price per Acre	Notes
Allendale	9.62	$3,250,000*	$337,838	Under contract
Zerger	8.08	$1,260,000*	$155,941	Under contract
Vivian	7.89	$2,549,250*	$323,099	Under contract
Vivian park acres	2.00	$596,720	$298,360	Sold
Thomson	9.30	$2,750,000	$295,699	Sold
Glennon Heights	7.71	$3,000,000	$389,105	Sold
Emory	17.50	$4,000,000	$228,571	Sold
Total:		$17,405,970
*Final price dependent on the approved number of lots and asbestos mitigation costs
		Low:	$155,941	These sales and prices resulted from a competitive process in which market conditions were created, with the sole exception of Emory.
		High:	$389,105
		Average:	$289,802

Learn more about Jeffco's property disposition process on the Property Disposition webpage.