Aurora R8 is committed to keeping our families informed about changes that may affect school funding.
Aurora schools receive funding from four primary sources: local, county, state, and federal revenue. Two of these funding sources are expected to be impacted by Senate Bill 3. Following the passage of Senate Bill 3 in April 2026, Aurora R8 is expected to receive approximately $820,000 less in local revenue. As of now, this decrease will not be impacted until the 2027-2028 School Year. In addition, the district could receive about $325,000 less in state funding. Together, these changes could reduce district funding by more than $1.1 million annually - again, beginning in the 2027-2028 School Year. The state funding will likely be implemented next year (the 2026-2027).
The good news is that Aurora R8 is financially stable and has built strong reserves. Because of this, the district can absorb these funding reductions during the 2026-2027 school year without making significant changes to programs, services, or staffing.
Looking ahead to the 2027-2028 school year and beyond, the district will continue monitoring the situation and evaluating options. Potential paths that could help address future funding concerns include legal challenges to Senate Bill 3 that may be pursued by statewide organizations and education groups based on concerns regarding the law's constitutionality, as well as a possible operating levy increase that could be considered by voters in April 2027. Aurora R8 currently operates at the state minimum operating levy rate of $2.75 per $100 of assessed valuation.
At this time, no decisions have been made regarding future funding measures. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Ben Yocom at byocom@aurorar8.org or 417-678-3373.