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APS 2012-2013 Budget Update from Superintendent John Barry - 1/11/2012

APS Teammates:

I would like to provide you with an update on our APS 2012-13 budget process.

At this time, the state has not released definitive budget reduction figures for the 2012-13 school year. Our initial estimate of 2012-13 reductions was in the range of $15 million. This estimate was based on the Governor’s initial budget projection which included an $89 million cut to K12 funding.

Last month, we received some tempered good news. The Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting announced that the revenue forecast for the current budget year (FY 2011-2012) is higher than the original forecast.

• Read more from Superintendent Barry.
• Learn more about the 2012-2013 budget process.
• View an alphabetical list of possible reductions/cuts.
  (Not in any particular order, just alphabetical) 
• View single slide descriptions of each possible budget/cut.
• Read earlier budget updates from Superintendent Barry.
• Read Frequently Asked Questions.
• Learn how APS plans to maintain its commitment to students.

A Look Back on the 2011-2012 Budget Process 

APS faced an estimated a $25 million gap between revenues and expenditures for 2011-12.  This gap was due to potential revenue cuts as well as cost increases in areas such as PERA, energy, and labor.

Of the actions taken to reduce the 2011-2012 budget by $25 million, 92% did not have a direct impact on classrooms and 50% provide recurring savings into future budget years.  

• Learn more about the Budget Reduction Process for the 2011-2012 Budget.
  • Entérese más acerca del proceso de reducción del presupuesto, para el 2011-2012.

Latest News

• APS Board of Education Approves 2011-2012 budget.
• APS Board of Education Provides Guidance on 2011-2012 budget.
• Questions & Answers from the Budget Town Hall Meeting are now available.
• Staff and Parent Budget Survey results are now available.

Budget Updates for Staff

View more budget updates.

As a team, we must work to find needed cuts that are thoughtful, transparent and supportive of our strategic plan.  During times of major crisis, the measure of an organization is how its members handle adversity.  I know we are up to the challenge.

The impact of the economic recession on the Colorado budget are severe, and funding for K-12 education will be hit hard as a result.

There are no easy decisions in times of extreme budget reductions.   Rest assured that extensive thought will go into each and every decision, and the final picture will reflect reductions that are thoughtful, collaborative and transparent. Our top priority will continue to be student achievement.

We are committed to including parents, staff and community members in the budget reduction process.

• We have developed a Special Budget Advisory Committee made up of representatives from all APS employee groups (AEA, CEC, SEA and DAAC), parents and community members.
• Staff members will have the opportunity to provide feedback through an online survey.
• We will also be collecting parent feedback through a survey.

Please know that we will work hard to minimize the impact of needed budget reductions on our students.

Thank you for your support.

John L. Barry
Superintendent

>> Learn how APS plans to maintain its commitment to students.