District overview
Carlsbad Municipal Schools
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
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Where does Carlsbad's school money come from?
Like every New Mexico district, Carlsbad gets most of its day-to-day money from the state's funding formula, the State Equalization Guarantee. That money follows the number of students, so changes in enrollment change the budget. Buildings are paid for separately, mostly with general obligation bonds that voters approve and property taxes repay. The superintendent has said the district also benefits from high operational funding tied to oil and gas revenue and from company donations.
The state formula pays for daily operations
The 2026-27 budget projects about $99.4 million from the State Equalization Guarantee, most of the roughly $110.9 million operational fund.
Funding follows enrollment, a year behind
In Dec. 2025 the superintendent said the district is always behind because it is funded on past enrollment, not projected enrollment. Kindergarten enrollment fell by about 99 students in fall 2026.
Bonds pay for buildings
Voters approved up to $300 million in school bonds in March 2024. The district had sold $110 million and approved selling $95 million more in Aug. 2026. It also approved $26 million in technology notes.
An elected five-member board decides
Five members, one from each of five districts, set policy and approve the budget. They elected Clancey McMillan president in Jan. 2026. Dr. Gerry Washburn is superintendent.
Large bond sales and a tight operating budget can both be true at once: bond money can only be spent on buildings, land and technology, not on teacher salaries.
Where the district stands
7,183 at the end of 2025-26; kindergarten down about 99.
Up from about $100.6 million estimated for 2025-26; 820 FTE, up from 798.
Up from about $97.3 million in 2025-26.
Context: $110.9 million operational budget divided by 7,181 students. Excludes bonds, grants and other funds.
$110 million sold in 2024-25; $95 million more approved for sale in Aug. 2026.
About 29.5 general education and 13 special education vacancies.
Major projects
New Sunset Elementary School
Under constructionThe district is building a new Sunset Elementary. Jaynes Corporation won the contract, and the district bought about 2 acres next door for more playground space.
- Board awards the new-school RFP
- Board told the contract went to Jaynes Corporation
- Groundbreaking ceremony
- Board buys about 2 acres for $272,500
Funding
General obligation bonds approved by voters in March 2024 (per bond resolutions; project-level cost not stated in collected records)
Southside middle school and E.M. Smith Intermediate
Design underway, may wait on enrollmentThe board named the planned south-side school E.M. Smith Intermediate School in Dec. 2025. At a Sept. 2026 work session, leaders said they would check enrollment before deciding to build, since it would shift zones for Cottonwood and Desert Willow.
- Board names the school E.M. Smith Intermediate
- Work session reviews design and falling elementary enrollment
Funding
General obligation bonds (2024 authorization)
Carlsbad High School project and campus block
Construction manager hired; land assembledThe board hired a construction manager at risk for the high school project in March 2026 and bought the 805 N. 8th Street property in June so the district owns the whole block around the school. The Carlsbad Enrichment Center moves to remodeled portables on the campus.
- Construction manager at risk awarded
- Enrichment Center move approved (about $550,000 in portable remodels)
- Dance studio property purchase approved
Funding
General obligation bonds and capital funds
District child care center
Building bought; operator being chosenThe district bought a day care center for $3.5 million (about 222 children) to serve district families and staff, the county and some public families. An outside operator will run it.
- Final approval to buy for $3.5 million
- Consultant hired to help open a licensed center
- Agenda includes awarding the operator RFP
Funding
District funds (source of the $3.5 million not specified in collected minutes)
Recent news
Built from the board's official agendas, board books, signed minutes and meeting recordings posted on the district's Google Drive, plus FY2026 quarterly financial reports, the facility master plan and the elementary handbook, covering Nov. 2025 to Oct. 2026.
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