District news
Enrollment is 1,064, far below the 1,211 students the budget is built on; more cuts are expected

What happened
The district's budget uses 1,210.8 funded students because of a state "hold harmless" rule, but only 1,064 students were enrolled on October 6, 2026. The funding difference is $1,957,097. The superintendent said more cuts will be needed this year and next, and that layoffs may be considered again.
Why it matters to families
The state protects the district from losing money for three years. After that, funding drops to match actual enrollment. Without the protection the district would need to cut about $2 million right now.
The evidence
The October 26 minutes report the enrollment count, the 1,210.8 hold-harmless number and the $1,957,097 difference, and quote the superintendent that cuts "will have to be made this year as well as next year" and that he will talk with the attorney about possible reductions in force. The June 29 final budget shows enrollment falling from 1,356.5 in 2022-23 to a projected 1,163 for 2026-27.
The source
October 26, 2026 board minutesSee the full record for East Otero School District R-1.
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