The Roaring Fork School District’s staff housing program is facing rising rent costs, forcing district leaders to consider adjustments that balance affordability with sustainability.

During a work session Wednesday at the Carbondale District Office, the school board and Chief Operating Officer Ben Bohmfalk explored potential changes to how rent is determined. The discussion focused on a gradual recategorization system that would prevent abrupt rent hikes while ensuring pricing remains aligned with employees’ current salaries. The board has until April 25 to finalize the 2025-26 rent structure.

“I want to get your input on some minor tweaks that I think would be a good idea for the coming year,” Bohmfalk said. “Starting this spring and going into next school year, rent is not based on what you made when you moved in three or five or seven years ago, but it’s based on what you make now.”

Bohmfalk outlined recommendations from the district’s housing committee, including maintaining a proportional relationship between income and rent while building a fund for future housing projects. He emphasized that while the current system is working, adjustments are necessary to ensure fairness.

“I think fundamentally, we have a system that’s working well, and we should stick with it and keep going,” Bohmfalk said. “My goal here is to help us get people into the right category, but not make it this jarring, abrupt process.”

To ease transitions, Bohmfalk proposed capping rent increases at half a category per year for employees who have moved into higher income brackets. Currently, rent is based on staff salaries at the time they move in, meaning some tenants are paying below-market rates despite earning more. The gradual transition would allow staff to adjust without experiencing significant jumps in rent.

Another key issue was whether the district should continue factoring in spouses’ incomes. RFSD is the only district in the area — compared to Aspen, Eagle, and Colorado Mountain College — that does so. While some have questioned this practice, Bohmfalk recommended keeping it in place while avoiding a shift to gross household income.

“I do not recommend that we move to a gross household income,” he said. “I think it would be extremely disruptive and extremely controversial. I think we would have people lining up at your board meetings.”

With a short timeline to finalize next year’s rents, Bohmfalk cautioned against major overhauls, instead suggesting minor tweaks to improve equity. Compared to other staff housing programs in the region, RFSD ranks in the middle for affordability. However, its categorization model remains unique, as it considers spousal earnings and bases pricing on an average income rather than a fixed percentage.

Some board members mentioned that the district may be straying from the housing program’s original purpose. Board member Jasmin Ramirez reminded the board that the program was meant to be a drawing factor for applicants, but not something that could eventually turn into RFSD relying on their own housing programs.

“This was meant to be a resource,” Ramirez said. “Let’s help people come to this valley. Let’s help people come to our school district. We should strive to make this program as equitable for everyone that is participating in it.”

Bohmfalk acknowledged her concerns and agreed that housing should serve as a stepping stone rather than a long-term solution.

“There’s also some argument to be made for not wanting to keep rents extremely low, or people will never have an incentive to move on,” he said. “It’s supposed to be your starter housing, and you get going.”

The next scheduled board meeting is set for Wednesday, April 9, at the Carbondale District Office at 400 Sopris Ave.