Mar 25, 2026

1hr 7 min

Understanding School District Funding -- Yes, It's Possible!

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Great schools make great communities, primarily by equipping young people with the education they need to grow and succeed. They also serve as community resources and contribute to property values. That’s part of the symbiotic relationship thriving schools and communities have – and at the core of that relationship is community investment through taxes that fund school districts. That’s where the relationship gets complicated. State laws and annually adjusted funding formulas, plus extra elections for supplemental tax funds, can make it difficult to understand how and why school districts are financed the way they are. 

All that complexity is why Douglas County School District’s Chief Financial Officer Jana Schleusner is our guest for this episode. As an expert who regularly goes to the state capitol to advocate for school funding on behalf of DCSD, she understands this subject as well as anyone. 

Guest this week: 

  • Jana Schleusner, DCSD chief financial officer

Host: 

  • Jason Hackett, DCSD director of communications 

Resources

About DCSD

Excellence meets opportunity in Douglas County School District. We're not just the third-largest school district in Colorado; we're a community dedicated to helping every student discover their unique talents and reach their full potential.

  • DCSD is the TOP-scoring district in the Denver/Metro area for the second year in a row (first time in a decade).
  • Our graduation rate is 93.6% (the highest in the Denver/Metro area).
  • We are one of the only districts in the country to have met or exceeded our 2019 (pre-pandemic) scores in every subject and every grade for two years in a row.
  • The Class of 2025 earned more than $113 million in scholarships and saved over $20 million in college expenses through DCSD's concurrent enrollment partnerships.
  • DCSD offers 90 Career and Technical Education and Concurrent Enrollment Pathways (including Trades) and is one of the leaders - nationwide - in "blurring the lines" between PK-12, higher education and industry.

With 92 schools spread across the 850 square miles of our nationally renowned county, we have options galore. Whether you're looking for a comprehensive neighborhood school, a charter school with specialized curriculum, or support for students with special needs, we've got you covered. 

Interested in learning more? Take a look at the webpage where we answer the question Why DCSD?

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