Budget committee approves $177.5 million 2026–27 budget, sets tax rate and levy

The Centennial School District budget committee voted to approve the district’s 2026–27 budget as presented by Director Paul Sutherton, the district’s budget lead. The total budget approved was $177,513,722, including a general fund of $104,856,962 and other funds totaling $72,656,760. The committee also approved a proposed permanent tax rate of 4.7448 per $1,000 of assessed value and a bonded debt levy of $4,727,138.

“Tonight you’re receiving the budget, hearing testimony from the public, then having an opportunity to deliberate and consider approving the updated budget, tax rate and bond collection amount,” Director Paul Sutherton said as he opened his presentation of the proposed approved budget. He described the plan as student‑centered, with increased investments in instruction, continued support for CTE and co‑curricular activities, and ongoing mental‑health and special‑education services.

Sutherton told the committee the district expects to use a planned spend‑down of reserves to cover an estimated deficit of up to $3.55 million next fiscal year because state resources fall short of proposed general‑fund spending. “We do have a robust ending fund balance and indeed it is higher than the board policy on ending fund balance. So a planned intentional measured spend down is prudent,” he said.

The presentation included classroom staffing and class‑size projections: elementary average contained general‑education class size of about 24:1 (pre‑K through grade 5 average), an average middle‑school staffing ratio of about one licensed general‑education teacher per 23 students (with average class size near 30), and average high‑school class sizes around 31, reflecting program and scheduling differences.

Public testimony was opened and closed without members of the public signed up to speak. Committee deliberations focused on long‑range facilities planning and how that work is communicated to voters in advance of potential future bond measures. Committee member Rod Bcher expressed concern about the district’s long‑range bond planning timeline and urged more public outreach ahead of any campaign. Director Sutherton said the district does multi‑year facilities planning but that one‑year budgets cannot legally earmark funds for future ballot measures.

Karen Wolf Gang moved to approve the budget, tax rate and levy; Director Stanley seconded and the committee approved the motion. One committee member, Janette, recorded an abstention from the vote.

The budget, if unchanged after final review, will advance to the school board for consideration of formal adoption in June.

What’s next: The board will hold the budget adoption hearing and related final actions in June, and the district’s administration will continue community outreach on long‑range facilities planning ahead of any future bond considerations.