District overview
Academy School District 20
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
.jpg){kind=link}
How is Academy District 20 paid for?
Academy District 20 serves about 26,500 students in 39 schools in northern Colorado Springs, next to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Its 2026-27 general fund budget plans about $360.7 million in revenue: $212.0 million from the state, $132.9 million from local taxes and $15.8 million from federal programs. District staff told the board the district ranks 177th of 178 Colorado districts in state funding for 2026-27. A five-member elected board governs using the Policy Governance model, with a non-voting member appointed by the Air Force Academy.
Property tax
The board set a total mill levy of 45.459 mills in Dec 2025, expected to raise about $144.0 million in 2026 if all is collected.
Voter-approved extras
A mill levy override of $26,750,862 a year is fully funded and cannot grow without a vote. Voters approved $83.14 million in new bonds in Nov 2024; $36.14 million was issued in Feb 2025.
Per-pupil revenue
The adopted 2025-26 budget used $11,035 per pupil, up from $10,728 the year before. October 2025 count: 26,471 students (25,369.5 full-time equivalent).
Spending plan
The 2026-27 budget plans about $367.9 million in spending and transfers, $250.5 million of it salaries and benefits, so about $7.2 million would come from savings.
The documents reviewed show the district's own figures and staff statements about its state funding rank; they do not compare it with other districts' budgets or say how much a higher rank would change.
Where the district stands
Major projects
Superintendent search
search firm contract before the boardDr. Susan Field has been interim superintendent since May 19, 2026 and serves through June 30, 2027. The board is hiring a search firm to select a permanent superintendent who would start July 1, 2027.
- Board appoints Dr. Susan Field interim superintendent
- Board approves a two-member search committee
- Board approves request for proposals for a search firm
- Board interviews Zeal Education Group and HYA
- Contract with Zeal Education Group on the agenda
Funding
District funds (firm fee; up to $10,000 more for expenses)
Facilities planning and 2024 bond projects
planning underway; $533.6 million in deferred maintenance listedThe district is building a long-range facilities plan and a capital improvement plan with consultant Matrix, due summer 2027, while 2024 bond projects are under way. The 2016 bond ($230 million) is complete and closed.
- Voters approve $83.14 million in bonds
- First $36.14 million of bonds issued
- Board considers 2026-27 capital reserve project list (Res. 290-26)
- Board hears facilities and deferred maintenance report
Funding
2024 voter-approved bonds ($36.14 million issued Feb 2025)
Board vacancy filled by appointment
completed; seat on the Nov 2027 ballotDirector Amy Shandy resigned effective Sept 3, 2026. After an open application period and interviews with three finalists, the board appointed Kelli Hawkins on Sept 3 to serve until the November 2027 election.
- Board accepts the resignation
- Interviews of three finalists
- Kelli Hawkins appointed
Funding
No separate cost stated in the documents reviewed
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from Board of Education agendas, agenda packets, minutes and meeting recordings posted on the district's Diligent Community portal and YouTube channel, November 2025 to November 2026.
Get alerts for Academy School District 20
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.