Superintendent Update March 5, 2026
Posted Date: 03/05/26 (05:24 PM)
Dear TSD Families,
This communication will cover three topics:
- School Climate Surveys
- 2026-27 Final Calendar and 2027-27 Draft Calendar
- Information on Funding and Staffing
School Climate Surveys - As part of monitoring our Ends Policy goal of fostering a safe and healthy community through “consistent student and staff culture across buildings which supports achieving our ends”, we will once again have students in grades 3-12, staff, and parents complete the School Climate Assessment Instruments (SCAI) developed and administered by the Alliance for the Study of School Climate (ASSC) in the month of March. The SCAI surveys, which are scientifically developed and third-party administered and analyzed, are rated as one of the most effective school climate tools. Below are the links to the parent survey in both English and Spanish. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey, as it provides valuable data on areas of strength and improvement. This survey will be open through the month of March.
Parent Survey - English
https://assc.questionpro.com/TellurideSDParentsSp26
Parent Survey - Spanish
https://assc.questionpro.com/TellurideSDParentsSpanishSp26
School Calendars - Below you will find links to the Final Calendar for next school year and the Draft Calendar for 2027-28
2026-2027 District Calendar Final
2027-2028 District Calendar Draft
Funding and Staffing – As the Colorado legislature continues to struggle with projected revenue shortfalls for the overall state budget, funding for public education across the state and for Telluride in particular is vulnerable.
Colorado’s new education funding formula (HB24-1448) negatively impacts Telluride long-term, and would have required us to seek a voter-approved Mill Levy Override increase in 2028. Changes to the new funding formula in 2025 (HB25-1320) increase the negative impact on Telluride, and now make us feel the need to seek a voter-approved Mill Levy Override increase in 2026. Further changes may come this legislative session that could make the funding picture even worse. In part, declining enrollment is a contributing factor to our projected decrease in funding. We will continue to reduce staffing as enrollment declines while striving to maintain our quality of education and current class sizes, but without additional revenue the reductions we would need to make to adjust for the funding cuts on the horizon would be devastating.
For more information, you can see the School District Budget Overview on our website. We will continue to hold discussions at BOE Meetings, District Accountability Meetings, Miner Community Meetings, and in other venues as we move through this Spring's budget season and, as always. value your participation and input.
Sincerely,
John Pandolfo
Superintendent
970-369-1213