District overview
Limon School District RE-4J
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Limon School District paid for?
Limon School District RE-4J serves about 470 students in Limon, Lincoln County, Colorado, on a four-day school week. Most money comes through Colorado's school-finance formula, which sets total program funding per student and splits it between a local property-tax mill levy and state aid; a separate levy repays a BEST bond that runs to about 2034. A five-member board elected at large to four-year terms adopts the budget and hires the superintendent, Robert McMullen.
2026-27 budget
$11,434,404 total including a $3,309,538 ending fund balance; about $8.1 million in planned spending; appropriation $13,644,053.
Reserve
About 41-44% reserve, roughly six months of expenses, well above the 22% board policy minimum.
Mill levy
Total levy of 32.797 mills collecting $2,975,540 (December 2025 resolution).
Staffing
At least eight teachers resigned for 2026-27; all but one opening was filled by April, and returning staff got retention bonuses.
The minutes are detailed and posted regularly, and the 2024-25 audit was clean. Agendas and packets are not posted online, so the public sees the plan only after a meeting.
Where the district stands
$8,124,866 budgeted expenses divided by about 469 students (NCES); a calculation.
Major projects
RedBag emergency response system
in use (drills since 2026)Classroom emergency bags, a panic button tied to dispatch and live camera access for first responders.
- Contract approved
- First payment; LEF donates $5,000
- Teacher training and lockdown drill
- RedBag-run lockdown and fire drills
Funding
District funds and grants; $5,000 donation from the Limon Education Foundation
Roof, gym sound system and building repairs
partly completeHail-damage repairs (teacherage roof, bus barn siding, gutters), a new gym sound system from Global Technology, new door locks and stage curtains.
- Hail claim; roof work planned for summer 2026
- Sound system paid; installation over spring break
- Stage curtains being installed
Funding
Facility improvement line added to the 2025-26 budget (wood chips, door locks); hail insurance claim for roof work
Possible second staff house (teacherage)
under discussionThe board discussed buying or building another house for staff to help hiring.
- Board discussion; superintendent to consult legal team
Funding
Financing or reserves (undecided)
AI policy
being draftedThe superintendent planned to draft an AI policy and procedures over summer 2026 and take it to the District Accountability Committee.
- Board asks about AI policy
- Summer drafting goal announced
Funding
n/a
Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from the board's posted minutes (October 2025 to August 2026) and the 2026-27 budget notice on limonbadgers.com.
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