D60 facing million dollar problem

Pueblo School District 60 is below its goal for student attendance and that could cost it $1.5 million.

Earlier this year, the district projected it would have 17,038 students for the school year. As of Tuesday, D60 is short by 209.

The state is offering more than $7,200 per student. If the current shortage holds, D60 could lose $1.5 million.

D60 said if that happens there could be cuts to jobs, transportation, software or textbooks.

“Right now, it is extremely vital that parents, guardians and anybody to make sure they are getting their kids in the classroom, that they are going to school,” Director of Communications Dalton Sprouse said.

Pueblo resident Abrie Gonzales, who has two grandchildren who go to a D60 school, said she is doing her part by making sure her grandchildren are in school.

“If you attend school, you are going to learn every day because if you miss, you might not get something that was important to you,” she said.

D60 has until Oct. 1 to reach its goal.

Pueblo County District 70 said it has reached above its estimated number of student attendance.