Cloudcroft Schools' June Board Meeting: Balanced Budget

Cloudcroft Municipal Schools approved a $10 million budget for 2026-27, directing the majority of spending toward classrooms and students despite rising insurance costs

Cloudcroft Schools talks finance at the June 2026 Board of Education meeting

Cloudcroft Schools will operate on a projected budget of $10,085,022.80 for the 2026-27 school year, following board approval at the June 16 meeting.

Finance Manager Lisa Royer presented the budget to Board President Lance Wright, who participated via video conference, along with board members Michele Anthony, Jeffrey Eigenmann, and Danny Ward.

Royer began with the state’s initial unit value, the per-student funding figure set by the New Mexico Public Education Department, which reached $7,117.10, the highest she has seen.

Projected revenue includes the district’s state equalization guarantee allocation of $8,161,342.26, down roughly $400,000 from the prior year due to declining student enrollment, plus estimated interest and donations, and a cash carryover balance, bringing total projected revenue to $10,085,022.80, matching expenditures exactly.

Tracking the Spend

More than half of expenditures, 56.56%, are directed toward direct instruction, covering teachers, educational assistants, textbooks, and classroom supplies.

An additional 15.80% supports student services including ancillary services, the school nurse, and counselors. Combined, those two categories account for nearly three-quarters of the total budget.

Other expenditures include maintenance and plant operations at 9.57%, central services at 6.58%, school administration at 5.06%, general administration at 3.52%, food service at 1.32%, student transportation at 1.26%, teacher professional development at 0.26%, and Medicaid state match at 0.07%.

Total salaries and benefits across all departments reached $6,416,891.21, representing 79% of the district’s SEG allocation. The SEG, or State Equalization Guarantee, is the primary state funding mechanism for New Mexico public schools.

Royer noted that insurance premiums rose significantly this year, with medical plan options up 9.95%, dental plans up 4%, and risk coverage increasing 16%. All employees will now receive 80% employer-covered health insurance, with employees contributing 20%.

Good Info

District budget documents, board meeting minutes, financial records, and other school information are available on the Cloudcroft Municipal Schools website, which is regularly updated. Parents can also access mental health resources, school menus, supply lists, and registration information through the site’s parent resources page.

Registration for the 2026-27 school year is July 24, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cloudcroft Schools.

This report is derived from budget materials provided by Cloudcroft Schools, confirmed numbers from Finance Manager Lisa Royer, and Reader attendance at the June Board of Education meeting.

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