Jeffco Public Schools is set to notify employees this week about impending job cuts as part of an initiative to reduce the district’s budget by $45 million. As Colorado’s second-largest school district, Jeffco expects to cut between 150 and 160 full-time positions, a decision aimed at improving its nearly $1 billion budget. The notifications for affected employees are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with the cuts becoming effective in June.
The budget reductions are primarily focused on minimizing the impact on classrooms and students, with anticipated savings of $26 million to $27 million coming from various departments, including transportation. Superintendent Tracy Dorland emphasized the goal of minimizing disruptions to educational services by reducing jobs through retirements and natural staff turnover wherever possible.
It is worth noting that Jeffco Public Schools has faced financial difficulties over the past few years, operating at a deficit for at least two of the last three fiscal years. The district is expected to experience a loss of $39 million for the upcoming 2025-26 year largely due to declining enrollment, which results in decreased per-pupil funding from the state. Although the district has raised educator salaries in recent years to stay competitive with other metropolitan school systems, rising costs have contributed to the financial strain.
While the initial cuts will lead to reductions in full-time positions, individual schools may implement additional cuts. Principals will communicate any further layoffs in early 2026. In line with a statewide trend, several public K-12 districts across Colorado are exploring budget cuts amid decreasing enrollments and considerations for reduced education funding from state and local governments. Notably, Adams 12 Five Star Schools recently cut at least 150 positions, aimed at saving $27.5 million.
Jeffco Public Schools officials plan to disclose the final tally of job eliminations by Thursday, though recent communications suggest that this timeline may be subject to change. As the district navigates these challenging fiscal circumstances, the commitment to prioritizing student services remains a focal point in their budgeting decisions.