Academy School District 20 seeking help for growing number of students

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- The largest school districts in southern Colorado are welcoming kids back to school this Tuesday, August 15, but one school district is now seeking help from its communities as its students make their way to the classrooms.

School District 20 is one of the State’s 15 largest districts but the district is now asking for help.

SEE RELATED: Academy School District 20 to seek voter approval for mill levy override in November 

There are 40 schools in District 20 and all those schools serve around 26,000 students–and that number is only going to keep growing. 

School District 20 has added about 7,000 students since 2003, and they’re expecting to add 5,000 more by 2028. 

District 20 officials say that the request is necessary because an increase in property tax revenue next year will result in a corresponding decrease in state funding because of how the school funding formula works. 

With needs running from retaining and hiring teachers, to reducing a backlog of maintenance construction projects, to placing full-time security guards at elementary schools, to funding programs at two charter schools, D-20 is asking its voters for understanding and help to address these issues. 

Voters in this district will have a chance to vote on the override in November.