This week's budget news

Decision on Gunnison school delayed

GUNNISON – School board members have decided to delay their decision about closing one Colorado alternative high school.

Neil Coen, the headmaster of Gunnison Valley School, says about 200 people showed up at the board meeting Monday night to show their support for the school, which is at risk of shutting down. The superintendent says the closure would save the district about $2 million over the next four years. Check out this 9News story.

Colo. districts juggle reduction in school budget cuts

School districts on Wednesday were busy crunching numbers and trying to interpret what the new proposed state K-12 budget means for them, but for most, the reduced cuts do too little, too late.

“We’re not changing any proposed reductions,” said Lynn Setzer, spokeswoman for Jefferson County Public Schools. “I believe we will have almost $10 million less in cuts, but that money will go into reserve funds to help offset reductions next year.” Read more in the Denver Post.

Fort Morgan school staff could be cut by 11

Fort Morgan school staff could be trimmed by 11.44 full-time equivalents to help balance the 2011-12 budget, Fort Morgan Board of Education members were told Monday. Read more in the Fort Morgan Times.

Supt. on leave as district wrestles with $7.5 million in cuts

WESTMINSTER – The Adams 50 School Board emerged from a closed-door meeting on Sunday and announced Superintendent Roberta Selleck is on leave. District spokesman Steve Saunders said Tuesday that Selleck is taking Family Medical Leave Act time to care for her mother in Arizona. Watch this 9News report.

Students pick up budget cut slack in school library

EVERGREEN – Peter Sweeney used to be the type of student who looked at a book in the school library at Wilmot Elementary and then left it out for someone to return it to its proper place. Now, he’s a library apprentice. Watch this report on 9News.

Decision on Gunnison school delayed

GUNNISON – School board members have decided to delay their decision about closing one Colorado alternative high school. Watch this 9News report.

Still unknown if teachers were suspended over protest

AURORA, Colo. – One day after a student walkout and protest over teacher layoffs at Hinkley High School because of budget cuts, Aurora school officials will not tell 7NEWS if any teachers were suspended for encouraging the display. Watch this 7News report.

Greeley school budget open houses continue through April

GREELEY – The weekly budget open house sessions hosted by District 6 will continue this Wednesday, April 6, and through the end of the month.

Parents, students, district staff members, and community members are invited to the district’s administration building on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 p.m. to ask questions and gather information regarding the district’s revenues, expenditures, and budget plans for 2011-12. District 6 is facing a potential $6.8 million funding cut, based on current statewide financial forecasts.

Attendees can also review and comment on the recent budget recommendations from the District Accountability Committee and Budget Advisory Committee.

Community members are welcome to attend any or all of the open houses. The sessions have a casual format, with no formal presentations or agenda. Community members also can access a variety of financial information on the district’s website, in the “Money Matters” section. Further discussion and questions also are welcome in the “Budget for 2011-12” discussion thread on Facebook.

$6,144.75 pricetag for Denver bus rally, D-49 says

After adding up the numbers, Falcon School District 49 said Friday that the district’s bus rally to Denver and back cost $6,144.75. Read more in the Colorado Springs Gazette.

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