District overview
Lewis-Palmer School District No. 38
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
Who runs Lewis-Palmer schools and how are they funded?
Lewis-Palmer School District 38 serves the Monument and Tri-Lakes area of El Paso County. A five-member elected board of directors meets most months on the third Monday and hires Superintendent Amber Whetstine. Most operating money comes from Colorado's school finance formula, which pays a set amount per student. D38's per-student rate is among the lowest in the state, and the voter-approved local add-on is small, so a drop in enrollment cuts revenue directly.
Budget
The board adopted a 2026-27 budget with total appropriations of $118.6 million, including $81.4 million for district-run schools and $37.2 million for the Monument Academy charter schools.
Enrollment and per-pupil funding
The district planned for 164 fewer students in 2026-27 and flat per-student revenue of about $11,125, a loss of about $2.0 million.
Local add-on
A voter-approved mill levy override of up to $4.0 million dates from 1999. A district presentation says D38 funds about $645 per student this way, the smallest among its selected peers.
Governance
Ron Schwarz is president. Two seats were filled in the Nov. 2025 election; the other three seats are expected on the Nov. 2027 ballot.
The collected records show the district's own figures and plans. They do not show final 2026-27 spending, and the district website was not reviewed.
Where the district stands
Major projects
2026-27 budget and staffing right-sizing
adoptedThe board adopted the budget June 22 with $2.8 million of expense cuts, a plan for 30 to 35 fewer employees, a 2.07% average pay change and level health plan costs through a new self-funded plan.
- Budget planning outline
- Proposed budget first presented
- Budget adopted after public hearing
Funding
State school finance formula, local property tax, voter-approved override and charter funds
Monument Athletic Complex on district land
under studyThe board supports studying a privately owned athletic complex on district land that includes the Grace Best property; the resolution is non-binding and no lease is approved.
- Community proposal presented
- Board resolution supporting exploration
- Resolution amended to limit district costs
- Foundation update and discussion of proposed Grace Best demolition
Funding
Private fundraising by the Monument Athletic Foundation; district cost for demolition and cleanup not stated
Home School Enrichment Academy building and Transition Services move
under constructionThe new Home School Enrichment Academy building is expected to be finished around the end of October 2026, and 18-21 Transition Services will move to the modular building at Lewis-Palmer High School.
- Board authorizes capital lease financing
- Board approves Transition Services relocation
- Completion expected near end of October
Funding
Capital lease financing with Eastern Colorado Bank and 2026-27 capital contingency
Recent news
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Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from 23 board and committee meeting records posted on the district's BoardDocs portal (agendas, minutes and attachments, Nov. 2025 to Nov. 2026) and captions from the district's YouTube channel. The district website was not fetched.
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