The Mancos School District is asking voters to approve a 10-mill property tax override in in the Nov. 4 election to generate $600,000 each year for staff pay.
Mancos offers the lowest starting teacher salary in the region, at $40,000 per year. Dolores County (Dove Creek) is at $40,500, and Dolores RE-4A at $40,071. Montezuma-Cortez pays $47,000, and Durango offers $51,500.
“The MLO would provide critical funding to help us retain and recruit talented staff, strengthen academic programs and ensure our school system remains a place where students can learn, grow and thrive. This effort is not about politics – it’s about priorities,” board President Emily Hutchison-Brown said in a letter of support for the MLO.
“Investing in our schools is an investment in the future of Mancos,” she wrote. “Our schools are the heartbeat of our community, and the support of families like yours is what keeps that heartbeat strong. We believe in a shared vision for our children, for public education and for a healthy and connected Mancos Valley. Your continued partnership is essential as we work together toward this vision.”
To ensure long-term funding for staff pay, the MLO will not expire if approved. The district currently has a 1.03-mill override that generates approximately $58,000 per year, but those funds are primarily allocated for technology needs.
A mill levy override is a voter-approved tax increase that adds mills to property tax bills, giving school districts extra revenue beyond state funding. For a $400,000 home, the proposed MLO would cost an estimated $23.70 per month.
This MLO specifically targets competitive salaries and wages, which account for roughly 75% of Mancos School District’s $8.6 million annual budget. The $600,000 represents about 7% of the total budget and is set to grow annually with inflation starting in 2026.
“This is the minimum amount but may increase to reflect current economic conditions,” a newsletter from the district said. “The ballot language states, ‘$600,000 for collection in 2026, and grow annually by inflation thereafter.’”
Arguments for the MLO include making the district more competitive, attracting and retaining quality staff, and bridging funding gaps from limited state support.
“When voters approve a mill levy override, you are directly investing in Mancos schools, showing strong support for quality educators, staff and quality education,” the newsletter said.
Arguments against the MLO include concerns about timing and increased tax burden on property owners.
If approved, staff could receive a one-time stipend of 8% to 10% of their current pay in May 2026. Beginning in November, a committee of staff, school leaders and community members will create a new salary schedule and submit recommendations to the superintendent and board by the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year. The committee will also monitor fund usage.
The district also highlighted its financial stewardship in the newsletter, noting it has increased fund balances from $1.7 million to $3.1 million over four years and raised teacher salaries by 18.25% over three years without a tax increase.
The measure will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, with funds expected to reach the district by February 2026, if approved.
