Adams 12 Schools Cut 150 Jobs Amid $27.5 Million Budget Shortfall

Adams 12 Five Star Schools is facing a significant budget shortfall of $27.5 million, leading to the elimination of at least 150 positions as the district grapples with declining enrollment and changes to Colorado's school funding formula. Superintendent Chris Gdowski expressed frustration over the situation, noting that the funding adjustments could result in a loss of $10 million due to the shift from a five-year to a four-year enrollment calculation. The cuts will impact various roles, including teachers and support staff across elementary, middle, and high schools, with some schools expected to experience larger class sizes. Despite the challenges, Gdowski emphasized his commitment to advocating for changes to the state’s inadequate school funding system, which he claims underfunds the district by over $272 million. The Board of Education has responded by urging the state legislature to increase funding for schools. The cuts come at a time when the district is already experiencing the financial strain of rising operational costs and reduced federal COVID-19 relief funding.