District overview
Aurora Public Schools
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
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How is Aurora Public Schools paid for?
Aurora Public Schools serves the city of Aurora in Adams and Arapahoe counties. Colorado pays districts mainly through a per-student formula funded by state taxes and local property taxes, so enrollment drives operating money. A seven-member elected Board of Education adopts the budget in June. The 2026-27 budget appropriates about $1.68 billion across all funds, but most of that is restricted money: $291 million for bond payments and $481 million for building projects, alongside a $692 million General Fund for day-to-day operations.
General Fund
The General Fund, which pays for classrooms and daily operations, is appropriated at $692.2 million for 2026-27.
Bond and building money
$291 million is set aside to pay bond debt and $481 million for the Building fund, which carries construction from the district's 2024 bond. These funds cannot be used for salaries or classroom supplies.
Falling enrollment
Traditional enrollment was 39,813 in 2024-25, 38,197 in 2025-26 and is projected at 37,662 for 2026-27. State money follows students, so fewer students means less operating money.
State cuts
The budget document says a state 'budget stabilization factor' reduces each district's funding by a percentage when the state budget is tight.
The collected budget gives fund totals but this page does not state a per-student spending figure, because totals include restricted bond and grant money that does not pay for classroom costs.
Where the district stands
Major projects
State accountability watch: North Middle and Aurora Central
North Middle in year 7 on the state clock; Aurora Central in year 10Colorado Department of Education staff told the board on Feb. 17, 2026 that North Middle School is in year 7 and Aurora Central Campus in year 10 on the state accountability clock. Aurora Central could come off the clock with another Improvement rating or higher.
- CDE and TNTP progress update to the board
- State review panel visit to North Middle planned for fall 2026
- Possible North Middle rehearing in spring 2027
Funding
District and state-supported improvement partners (TNTP)
New Foundry P-8 school boundary and name
Boundary and naming recommendations presented Nov. 17, 2026The board is presented recommendations for a new P-8 school in the Foundry development. Directors are expected to be asked to approve them on Dec. 15, 2026.
- Horizon Uptown boundary and naming first presented
- Foundry boundary and naming presented
Funding
Not stated in the agenda item (the district's 2024 bond funds new construction)
Student phone policy rollout
Policy JT adopted May 12, 2026The board adopted a districtwide away-for-the-day policy for pre-K to 8th grade, middle and 6-12 schools and a bell-to-bell policy for standalone high schools, as required by state law from July 1, 2026.
- First presentation to the board
- Board adopts Policy JT, 5-2
Funding
Pouches are school property; families pay a fee for lost or damaged ones
Recent news
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Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from the board's BoardDocs agendas, minutes and attachments (November 2025 to November 2026), the 2026-27 proposed budget and the district's board web pages. Recordings from the 2026-27 school year are collected but not summarized.
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