Cherry Creek Schools Cut 159 Jobs Amid $23 Million Budget Shortfall

Reductions hit support staff roles that directly assist students with special needs, gifted programs, and more.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:13pm

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A bold, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeating grid of brightly colored textbooks in neon shades of blue, pink, and yellow, conceptually representing the impact of budget cuts on educational resources.Budget cuts force Cherry Creek Schools to eliminate crucial support staff roles, raising concerns about the district's ability to maintain educational quality.Cherry Creek Today

The Cherry Creek School District in Colorado is cutting 159 jobs, including 123 full-time equivalent positions from crucial student support roles, as it grapples with a $23 million budget shortfall driven by declining enrollment. The cuts also impact central personnel in areas like transportation, maintenance, IT, and HR, raising concerns about the district's ability to maintain operational stability.

Why it matters

The scale of the job cuts at Cherry Creek, one of Colorado's largest school districts, signals a broader crisis in public education funding and the impact on students. As districts across the state face similar budget pressures, the reductions in support staff could significantly undermine the quality of education and services provided to students, especially those with special needs or in specialized programs.

The details

The job cuts include eliminating 123 full-time equivalent positions from support staff roles that directly assist students, such as those working in special needs, gifted and talented programs, language support, and health services. An additional 36 central personnel positions in areas like transportation, maintenance, IT, and HR are also being eliminated. The district is also cutting nearly $1.2 million in contracts related to investigations into former Superintendent Christopher Smith and his wife Brenda Smith.

  • The job cuts were announced on April 11, 2026.
  • The district is facing a projected $15.4 million deficit largely driven by declining enrollment, a national trend fueled by fewer births and changing housing patterns.

The players

Cherry Creek School District

A large public school district in Colorado serving over 55,000 students.

Jennifer Perry

The interim superintendent of Cherry Creek School District.

Christopher Smith

The former superintendent of Cherry Creek School District who is under investigation.

Brenda Smith

The wife of former superintendent Christopher Smith, who is also under investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure the long-term strength and stability of our district while continuing to focus on educating students and delivering on our promise of excellence.”

— Jennifer Perry, Interim Superintendent, Cherry Creek School District

What’s next

The district will need to determine how to maintain educational quality and services for students with significantly reduced staffing levels. Ongoing budget negotiations and potential state or federal funding changes will also impact the district's ability to restore positions in the future.

The takeaway

The job cuts at Cherry Creek School District reflect a broader crisis in public education funding, as districts across Colorado grapple with declining enrollment and budget shortfalls. The reductions in crucial student support roles raise concerns about the district's ability to provide quality education and services, underscoring the need for innovative solutions and a renewed commitment to adequately funding public schools.