District overview
East Otero School District R-1
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is East Otero (La Junta) paid for?
East Otero School District R-1 runs four schools in La Junta, Colorado: a primary school, an intermediate school, a junior/senior high school and Tiger Trades Academy. Colorado pays districts a set amount per funded student and local property taxes cover part of the cost. The 2026-27 budget uses a state hold-harmless count of 1,210.8 funded students at $13,329 each, about $16.1 million in total program funding. Actual enrollment was 1,064 on October 6, 2026. A five-member elected board adopts the budget and policies.
Money gap if enrollment stands
The funding difference between actual enrollment and the hold-harmless count is $1,957,097. The superintendent said more cuts will come this year and next.
Savings are low
General fund balance fell from $6.1 million at the end of 2022-23 to a projected $2.8 million at the end of 2026-27, after a $1.0 million deficit in 2025-26. The adopted 2026-27 budget shows a $260,054 surplus.
Audits are behind
The 2023-24 audit ended with a disclaimer of opinion (the auditor could not vouch for the numbers). The 2024-25 audit is expected to do the same. The district has hired a finance contractor, Abacus, to fix its books.
Who decides
Five directors elected at large; Sara Hines is president. The board usually meets on the fourth Monday at 6:30 p.m., with some changes.
The state hold-harmless rule means funding does not fall for three years, the 2026-27 budget is balanced, and the district has exited the state accountability clock. The records do not show what state funding will look like after year three.
Where the district stands
Calculated: $16,387,321 general fund expenditures divided by 1,210.8 funded students. Includes all central costs, transportation and facilities.
Major projects
Financial recovery and audit catch-up
in progress; 2024-25 and 2025-26 audits still openThe district hired Abacus to run its accounting, closed the late 2023-24 audit with a disclaimer of opinion, declared a fiscal exigency and cut about $2.5 million in teacher costs for 2026-27.
- Board accepts disclaimer of opinion and declares fiscal exigency
- Board accepts completed 2023-24 audit; two teacher contracts cancelled
- 2026-27 budget adopted with a $260,054 surplus
- Finance team says 2024-25 audit will carry a disclaimer; 2025-26 audit due in December
Funding
General fund
Five-year strategic plan and school improvement
adopted; first yearA TNTP-led plan sets four priorities and a goal that every school earns a Green state rating by 2030-31. La Junta Intermediate remains under state-directed action.
- $78,616 TNTP planning contract approved
- Strategic plan presented
- $160,000 in TNTP school support contracts approved
- 2026-27 Unified Improvement Plan approved
Funding
Grants (EASI and Title funds)
Building repairs and asset plan
repairs ongoingRoof leaks, an Intermediate School HVAC failure and a Primary School parking lot repair ($29,860) are underway. The district joined a BOCES program with Schneider Electric to manage building assets.
- Primary School parking lot repair quote ($29,860) on the agenda
- Board joins the Schneider Electric asset plan
- Operations director reports roof, bat and HVAC problems
Funding
General fund (first-year Schneider Electric cost)
District swimming pool
reopened August 2, 2026The board weighed closing the pool, which costs $130,000 to $235,000 a year. It reopened with new hours and prices, and the school swim team is suspended.
- Pool costs presented to the board
- Swim team suspended; residents ask to keep the pool open
- Pool reopens
Funding
General fund
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from board agendas, approved minutes and packets on the district's Diligent Community portal (Nov 2025 to Nov 2026).
Get alerts for East Otero School District R-1
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
Copy the RSS link into your feed reader to get new published alerts.