Voters in the Littleton Public Schools district approved a $10 million mill levy override, Ballot Issue 4A, in the Nov. 3 election, giving the district additional funding as it faces a $10.6 million budget gap.

Unofficial results from Arapahoe County showed 22,338 votes in favor of the measure, or 55.11%, compared with 18,194 votes against it, or 44.89%. The results were updated at 6:29 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The measure will provide funding for a 2% pay raise for all district staff, along with academics, career-readiness programs, school safety and operations, according to a Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck guide to Colorado's local ballot measures.

LPS Superintendent Dr. Todd Lambert told CBS News Colorado the district has lost about 5,000 students over the past 15 years. Enrollment dropped from roughly 18,000 to just under 13,000, a decline of about 0.8% per year.

"That has an impact because enrollment drives funding," Lambert said. "You have per-pupil money, per-pupil revenue, comes out to just around $12,000 a student. So, as we lose students, that goes down."

A change in the state funding formula and declining enrollment contributed to the budget shortfall, Lambert said.

What the measure will cost homeowners

The approved override is expected to increase property taxes. A home valued at $600,000 would cost the homeowner about $150 more per year, or roughly $13 per month, CBS News Colorado reported.

Lambert said the override is the first proposed by the district for a staff pay raise since 2010.

Staff retention was a key concern

Lambert framed the measure as essential for keeping educators in the district. Before the election, he warned that if the measure failed, a pay freeze already in place would continue, with potential freezes in future school years.

"It can't be overstated how vulnerable we could be to losing great teachers if that money is not there," Lambert said.

According to the Colorado Department of Education, Littleton ranks sixth in starting teacher pay, behind Denver Public Schools, Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek, CBS News Colorado reported.

School funding measures across Colorado

Littleton was among several Colorado school districts asking voters for additional property tax revenue on Nov. 3, according to the Brownstein guide.

Douglas County School District sought a $54 million mill levy override, while Jeffco Public Schools pursued a $73 million override for operating expenses and a separate $60 million measure for facilities and technology.

Denver Public Schools also had a $44 million mill levy override on the ballot. Early returns showed that measure leading toward approval, Chalkbeat Colorado reported. If approved, the measure would provide every full-time DPS employee with a $1,750 raise.

The Brownstein guide noted a common thread across the state: fiscal pressure is pushing school districts to seek voter-approved revenue amid rising costs and declining enrollment.