Timnath
Timnath council commits $50,000 to task force on elementary education in town
The independent group will weigh partnerships, fundraising and other options before making recommendations; no solution is set in advance. The town says a major contribution would require a new funding mechanism and almost certainly voter approval.
The Timnath Town Council has committed $50,000 to an independent community task force that would explore ways for elementary students to keep being educated in Timnath, after Poudre School District decided to keep Timnath Elementary School open for one more year.
The money includes $25,000 from the current budget and an additional $25,000 planned for fiscal year 2027.
The task force is envisioned as a collaboration among Poudre School District, the town, parents and the broader community. It would operate independently to evaluate potential solutions and bring forward its own recommendations.
It would not start with a predetermined solution. It would consider partnerships, fundraising, potential new funding sources and other approaches to help elementary students continue being educated in Timnath.
A sizable financial contribution from the town would require a new funding mechanism that does not currently exist, the town said. It said such a contribution would almost certainly require voter approval.
The town also said any long-term solution must account for its responsibility to maintain existing services, address critical infrastructure needs and advance planned community projects.
Mayor Robert Axmacher said the town does not yet have an answer. "We know how much families value Timnath Elementary, and we want to do everything we reasonably can to explore what is possible," Axmacher said. "We don't have the answer today, but we do have the opportunity to bring the right people together, consider different ideas and work toward something that is realistic and sustainable."
Poudre School District decided to keep the school open for an additional year. Parents, residents and other community members have advocated for Timnath Elementary and shown strong interest in preserving local educational options, the town said.
Community members are invited to participate in and support the task force. People can learn more and complete a community interest form at timnath.org/elementary-education-community-task-force.
Residents will have opportunities to participate in and help shape the task force's work. Additional details about the process will be shared as it takes shape.
The council plans to work with Poudre School District as a partner and draw on the district's information and expertise while evaluating options. The council believes a sustainable solution will require a broad mix of partners and funding sources.