Las Cruces restores full funding for LCPS community schools program
Las Cruces city councilors voted to restore full funding for the LCPS community schools program after a proposed reduction drew concern during FY27 budget discussions.
City council reversed a proposed cut while approving a tighter fiscal year 2027 budget amid broader financial concerns
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - Even as city leaders warned about long-term financial pressures and approved nearly $16 million in spending reductions, the Las Cruces City Council voted unanimously Monday to restore full funding for the Las Cruces Public Schools community schools program.
Before approving the city’s $586.3 million fiscal year 2027 budget, councilors amended the proposal to maintain the city’s annual contribution to the program at $150,000 instead of reducing it to $90,000.
The move came during broader budget discussions focused on rising personnel costs, increasing insurance expenses and concerns about the city’s long-term financial sustainability.
Damien Willis
Still, councilors signaled that the community schools partnership remained a priority despite pressure to reduce spending elsewhere.
The community schools model connects schools with expanded academic, family and social support services, often including after-school programming, food access, mental health resources and partnerships with local organizations.
The city’s proposed reduction had emerged during internal budget balancing efforts as officials worked to stabilize reserves and reduce expenditures heading into fiscal year 2027.
Councilors ultimately chose to preserve the full funding amount while approving the broader budget package Monday night.
The adopted FY27 municipal budget includes:
- nearly $167.9 million for the city’s general fund
- about $199 million for enterprise funds including utilities and transit
- $96 million for capital projects
- and more than $55 million in special revenue funds.
The fiscal year begins July 1.
The May 18 meeting and all City Council meetings can be viewed on the City's YouTube channel.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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