Joseph Shelton Raises Concerns Over District 11’s Proposed 2025–26 Budget
- sheltonford11
- May 26
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2025
Joseph Shelton Raises Concerns Over District 11’s Proposed 2025–26 Budget
Candidate for Board of Education urges transparency, equity, and community engagement in budget decisions
Colorado Springs, CO — Joseph Shelton, candidate for the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, is raising serious concerns after a detailed review of the district’s proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year. The budget, recently filed by the D11 Board Secretary, is scheduled for public discussion on May 28 and a final vote on June 4.
“At a time when our students and educators need investment and stability, this budget includes deep staffing and program cuts that could significantly impact student success and equity,” said Shelton. “District 11 must be transparent and accountable in its financial decisions—especially when those decisions risk undermining vital services.”
Key Concerns Identified by Shelton:
For Students:
Significant staffing reductions in Special Education, Early Childhood, and Transition programs
Cuts to Title I and other federal grant-funded supports
End of pandemic relief funding that previously bolstered support services
Reduced access to counseling, libraries, transportation, and food programs
For Staff:
44% decrease in FTEs funded by Designated Purpose Grants
Loss of 6.64 ESP positions and 56.25 teaching positions
Declines in professional development funding
Rising workers’ compensation costs straining the general fund
For the Community:
High facility rental costs limiting nonprofit and public access
Decreased investment in equity-focused programs like Gifted & Talented, ESL, adult education, and early childhood services
Funding Reductions and Concerns:
Cuts to federal and state grants, including:
Title I (-12.66%), Title III (-30.61%), IDEA Special Ed (-11.03%), and IEL Civics (-44.62%)
Medicaid reimbursements down 3.65%
A $725,361 decrease in Mill Levy Override funds, with questionable reallocation to programs like Mitchell Promise and Performance Review
FY26 grant applications have increased by 121%, but many remain uncertain
Notable Increases:
Modest increases to IDEA Preschool and Title IIA
Growth in Pupil Activity Fund revenues and food service expenditures, requiring further clarity on sustainability
“This budget introduces reductions we haven’t seen before, especially in special education and federal grant-funded programs,” Shelton emphasized. “We must come together to demand a budget that uplifts our students, supports our educators, and reflects our community’s values.”
Public comment is encouraged at the following open meetings:May 28 at 4:00 PM (public hearing at 4:15 PM) & June 4 at 5:30 PM
For media inquiries, please contact:
Joseph Shelton
Candidate for Colorado Springs D11 Board of Education
719-290-0440
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