Month: April 2022

Nevada Ed-Watch: 4/28/2022

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.

Clark County School District Board of Trustees 

What is the Board of Trustees & what are they responsible for? The CCSD Trustees are publicly elected decision-makers for the school district. They are responsible for providing oversight to the Superintendent and establishing District-wide policy. Trustees are accountable to work with their communities to improve student achievement.

Click here to learn more and see a list of current Trustees
Click here to find your Trustee District

How often does the Board of Trustees meet? Trustees meet twice per month (second and fourth Thursdays) at 5 pm both virtually and at the Edward A. Greer Education Center Board Room (2832 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89121).

Click here for a full list of Trustees meetings and agendas
Click here to visit Hope For Nevada’s #NVEd Calendar

Can community members engage at Trustee meetings? Decision-making bodies benefit greatly from hearing public input and multiple perspectives. Currently, members of the public can submit comments on agenda and non-agenda items through email or voice recording. Public comment can be provided in person, via email, or via voice recording. Email comments should be submitted to Boardmtgcomments@nv.ccsd.net. To submit a voice recording on items listed on the meeting agenda, call 702-799-1166. Voice recorded public comment is limited to 1 minute 30 seconds.

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Clark County School District Board of Trustees Meeting

Click here to see the meeting agenda and the addendum to the meeting agenda.
Watch the meeting playback on Facebook or CCSD EduVision.

What happened at this meeting?

Public Comment #1 on Non-Agenda Items

Members of the public shared comments regarding: 

  • Student safety
  • Restorative justice in schools
  • Teacher pay and retention
  • Recent incidents of school violence and harassment
  • Proposed start time revisions for high schools
  • Student discipline measures

Trustees Approved the Consent Agenda (5-2)

Consent Agenda Highlights:

Members of the public provided comments on student expulsions, contract awards, recommendations of the Sex Education Advisory Committee, Distance Education program renewal, non-renewal of probationary unified and licensed contracts, critical labor shortages, the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, and a right-of-entry item for NV Energy at Western High School.

Trustees Conducted a Public Hearing on and Approved a New Memorandum of Agreement between CCSD and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-Technical Employees Regarding Extra-Pay for a 12-Month Administrator with Additional Responsibilities (7-0)

Trustees conducted a public hearing on and approved a new Memorandum of Agreement regarding extra-pay for a 12-month administrator to be on-call for CCSD’s Connection Line support program from April 2 – August 7, 2022. This Memorandum allows the extra pay of $1,762.88.

Explore the Memorandum of Agreement and fiscal impacts of the Memorandum.

Trustees Heard an Update on Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) III

Staff presented an update on federal funding relief allocated to CCSD under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. ESSER III funds were enacted in March 2021 in the amount of $777,849,496 for continued pandemic relief and recovery. Staff reported that it is on time regarding implementation and plan refresh. Spending priorities have been summarized below, and additional details regarding priority areas, related budgets, and success metrics were shared on student success; teachers, principals, and staff; COVID-19 mitigation and other costs; balanced governance and leadership; and parent and community support.

Explore the presentation.

Trustees Discussed the Implementation of the Reorganization of CCSD and Compliance with NRS 388G and Passed a Motion to Establish an AB 469 Subcommittee (5-2)

Trustees discussed possible action regarding the implementation of reorganizing CCSD and compliance with NRS 388G, after the most recent Nevada Board of Education meeting, where language revisions were moved forward to a workshop period.

Trustees discussed ideas to bring the district into compliance and align with these changes as they progress. A suggestion to form a board subcommittee to monitor compliance was brought forward, including discussion on possible composition of that committee, increasing transparency and communication regarding compliance, and ensuring the public has an opportunity to provide feedback to the subcommittee and Board.

The Board passed a motion forming the subcommittee to review AB 469 implementation and ensure any new district policies relating to AB 469 either meet or exceed the conditions and terms of AB 469, noting that any proposed policies must come to the full Board for adoption.

Explore the proposed NRS and NAC language revisions as presented at the April 21 Nevada State Board of Education meeting.

Public Comment #2 on Non-Agenda Items

Members of the public shared comments on this item regarding: 

  • Autism awareness
  • Special education
  • Student and school safety
  • School board etiquette

The next Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for May 12, 2022 @ 5pm. 

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Nevada Ed-Watch: 4/21/22

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on decisions being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.

Nevada State Board of Education

What is the State Board of Education & what are they responsible for? The Nevada State Board of Education adopts regulations based on Nevada laws, which are passed down to individual school districts in Nevada to implement. The Board has 11 total (7 appointed and 4 publicly elected) members.

How often does the State Board meet? The Nevada State Board of Education meets once per month on Thursdays at 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Click here to see the 2022 Board Meeting Schedule. Click here to visit Hope For Nevada’s #NVEd Calendar.

Can community members engage at State Board Meetings? A time for public comment is provided at the beginning (for agenda items) and at the conclusion (on any matter) of each Board meeting. Members of the public may provide public comment in writing via email; public comment will be accepted via email for the duration of the meeting and shared with the State Board of Education during the public comment periods. Public comment may be emailed to NVBoardED@doe.nv.gov.

Click here for a list of all State Board Members.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Nevada State Board of Education Meeting

Click here to see the regular SBOE meeting agenda.

Click here to watch the meeting playback.

What happened at the regular meeting?

Public Comment #1

Public comment was heard on the following subjects: 

  • Teacher and support staff recruitment, retention, and pay
  • The impact of AB 469 on teachers, support staff, and current employment agreements
  • AB 469 definitions

President’s Report

Highlights included:

  • The Washoe County School Board is in the final process of selecting its next Superintendent of Public Schools, and the new superintendent will be announced next week.
  • Student safety concerns and the importance of providing resources for students who are experiencing stress, trauma, and mental health issues were also highlighted.

Superintendent’s Report

Highlights included:

  • Safety, Mental, and Behavioral Needs of Nevada Students and Educators Roundtables were held. Discussions included protections for employees and students, misconceptions regarding restorative justice, and student discipline measures related to safety issues.
  • Twenty-five teams competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Thomas & Mack Center, in a statewide competition. Some students are participating in the national competition in Texas.
  • SPCSA appointment applications are due in by May 13 and can be found here.

Board Approved Consent Agenda 

Consent agenda items included:

Board Heard an Update on Ratios of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel

The Board heard an update on ratios of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) and the implementation of requirements in Senate Bill (SB) 89 (2019), SB 151 (2021), and SB 352 (2021). The presentation explained the update to the ratios (SB 89 and 151) and some of the strategies and policies to help increase the number of support personnel in schools.

Clark County and Washoe County are required to create reports on these ratios, and baseline ratios were reported from the 2019 and 2020 school years. There is still work to be done to reach these ratios within these school districts across the board, with a decline in social workers and an uptick in school noted by staff.

Efforts to improve SISP ratios include differing revenue streams to support hiring and developing these positions. Staff are also looking at more diversified revenue streams to fund these positions.

Explore the presentation, which includes baseline numbers, ratios, and reporting.

Board Approved Teach Nevada Scholarship Awards

The Board received a presentation on current available funds for Teach Nevada scholarship awards and requests. Available funds for 2023 allocations are $2.4 million. They are proposing two award phases in the fiscal year to allow for better planning and scholarship distribution. 2022 carryover funds, as well as rebalanced funds, will be requested in the fall. Two options were presented for awards during this meeting, and board approved the second option.

Explore the presentation.

Board Heard an Update on Educator Recruitment Needs and Efforts

The Board received presentations from Data Insight Partners and EdLiFE on educator retention and attrition, national education workforce trends, and statewide efforts on educator recruitment and retention.

Data Insight Partners presented on educator retention and attrition and workforce trends. It is estimated that 3,000 more teachers are needed in Nevada, based on recommended class sizes. Comparing Nevada’s student-teacher ratios with national averages, this is a conservative estimate, as approximately 9 in 10 students are in a larger-than-recommended class size.

In the last two years, staff separations have accelerated later in the school year (April – July). Teachers this year are leaving at a faster pace earlier in the school year, with 1,156 teacher/licensed staff separations between August and March of this school year (comparatively, in 2020-21, there were 824 separations, and in 2019-20, there were 781 separations). Teacher recruitment nationwide is expected to be competitive.

The work ahead identified is understanding trends, pipeline, and obstacles moving forward; building the data infrastructure; monitoring access to experienced teachers; and improving the ability to predict future demand.

EdLiFE staff presented on efforts underway to expand and increase the diversity of Nevada’s education workforce, recruitment, and retention efforts.

Explore the Data Insight Partners presentation and the EdLiFE presentation.

Board Received an Update on Implementation of AB 469, and Approved Items for Regulation Workshops

The Board received a presentation on national non-compliance policies and practices related to state takeovers, possible non-compliance regulatory language, and revisions of other language as mandated by AB 469, as brought forth from the AB 469 Subcommittee.

Four possible NAC 388G draft regulation changes were discussed:

  1. Possible regulatory language changes regarding the non-compliance policy for large school districts, including the appointment of a compliance monitor. Additional language changes include the monitor having the requisite skills that align to the deficiencies of the district, conditions of the receivership, and the resources and compensation of the monitor.
  2. Possible regulatory language changes on dispute resolution processes
  3. Proposed changes to language that specifically outline the school district’s responsibility to mandatory training on provisions of NRS 388G.500-388G.810.
  4. Additional clarity on defining staff that is evaluated by the principal or principal’s staff as included in Subsection 2 of NRS 388G.610.

After discussion, the proposed language on non-compliance policy/consequences (with changes), dispute resolution revision, training language, and the definition of “other staff under the direct supervision of the principal” were approved to move forward.

The next steps will be to have these proposed regulations go to regulation workshops, and then be presented back to the Board for a formal hearing. Upon approval, these changes would be sent to the Legislative Commission for final review and adoption.

Explore the proposed language and presentation.

Future Agenda Items

Suggestions for future agenda items regarding mental health and student safety were discussed.

Public Comment #2

Public comment was heard on the following subjects:

  • Support staff development and certificate programs
  • Student and staff safety
  • Bus driver professional pathways


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Nevada Ed-Watch: 4/15/22

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.

State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA)

What is the SPCSA & what are they responsible for? Considered one of Nevada’s school districts, the SPCSA sponsors and oversees public charter schools. The Authority consists of seven appointed members responsible for overseeing educational and operational standards and holding sponsored schools accountable to the academic achievement of students. 

How often does the SPCSA Board meet? The SPCSA typically meets once a month, generally on Fridays. 

Click here for SPCSA meeting schedule and materials.

Can community members engage at SPCSA Board Meetings? While all meetings of the SPCSA are typically held publicly at the Nevada Department of Education building in Carson City and the Nevada Department of Education building in Las Vegas (1st floor boardroom), all meetings are now held virtually due to the COVID-19 crisis. Members of the public may view the meeting online via the link on the SPCSA’s Public Notice web page and the agenda and any supporting materials can be found here. Public comment may be given on any agenda item at the beginning of the meeting, or public comment regarding any matter that is SPCSA-related may be given at the conclusion of each Board meeting. Members of the community giving public comment can utilize the following conference call line: 1-312-584-2401; extension 3952176# with a time limit of three minutes per speaker. Alternatively, public comment may be submitted in writing to publiccomment@spcsa.nv.gov, and any such public comment received prior to the meeting will be provided to the Authority and included in the written minutes of the meeting.

Click here for a list of all SPCSA Members.
Click here for a list of all SPCSA sponsored schools.

Friday, April 15, 2022
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.

What happened at this meeting? 

Public comment 

Public comment was provided on FMLA and personnel concerns.

SPCSA Executive Director’s Report

Highlights from the report include:

  • Student Equity: Last month, Nevada Prep presented its transportation plan, and this month, the Board will hear about how Beacon Academy serves students with special needs. The agency is continuing discussions around recruitment and enrollment plans to serve certain student populations and promote equitable learning environments.
  • Impacts of COVID-19: The focus is on ensuring schools have access to testing, and schools continue to evolve their COVID plans.
  • Legislative Updates: At the Interim Finance Committee, the SPCSA shared routine adjustments to grant amounts and requested two additional positions, both of which were approved.
  • Budget Prep: The agency is working on budget preparation for the next fiscal year.
  • Annual Enrollment Count: Last year’s annual enrollment data had errors identified; none were specific to SPCSA, but they are working to incorporate those minor technical corrections in SPCSA documents.

Board Heard an Update on Beacon Academy of Nevada

Beacon Academy of Nevada discussed its alternative school model, which offers at-risk high school students with a personalized education plan that provides the support and flexibility for students to graduate high school. 95% of its students fall into a high-need category. The school currently has 95 students and operates on continuous enrollment and have not turned away any students at this point. The school was accredited by COGNIA in 2022, as well. Staff provided updates on credit earning rates, graduation rates by cohort, and next steps for the school.

Explore the presentation.

Board Approved Amendments to Charter School Contracts

Beacon Academy of Nevada requested a good cause exemption and received approval to accelerate financing for its East campus.

Explore Beacon Academy’s good cause exemption letter and charter amendment application. The budget workbook, amortization schedule, and the enrollment workbook can be found here.

Girls Athletic Leadership School (GALS) was approved for a change in its charter management organization. It was approved to formally separate GALS Las Vegas from GALS Inc. and terminate its CMO agreement.

Explore the GALS recommendation memo and Notice of Termination of Contract with GALS Inc.

Battle Born Academy received approval for a temporary location for the 2022-2023 school year, at 4201 E. Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89110.

Explore the Battle Born Academy recommendation memo and good cause exemption letter.

Board Heard an Update on Approved New Charter Schools for Fall 2022

Battle Born Academy: The school has secured a temporary facility and has submitted an updated budget, as well as received approval for an SPCSA revolving loan. Enrollment has reached about 50% and is expected to rise with the announcement of the temporary location. The school hired an Operations Director in March, as well as a full-time counselor, and is still looking for professionals in the fields of special education and ESL.

Explore the update from Battle Born Academy.

Sage Collegiate: The school is 59.4% enrolled and will begin canvassing the community in May. The facility is on track to open for the 2022-23 school year but are working on contingency plans. The school is hosting a career fair with several other charter schools on April 23.

Explore the update from Sage Collegiate.

PilotED – Cactus Park Elementary: Enrollment for the school is at 40%, and the faacility is two weeks ahead of schedule. It is 80% staffed for admin and leadership positions, 13% for teaching positions, with additional interviews taking place this month.

Explore the update from PilotED.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy: The school is 60% enrolled, with recruitment events continuing throughout April. They are also making progress with staff recruitment efforts.

Explore the update from Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

Strong Start Academy: The school is 90% enrolled in kindergarten, and 20% in Grades 1 and 2. Upcoming recruitment marketing will focus on Grades 1 and 2, and the school has established a weighted lottery system, should enrollment exceed capacity. Vendor contracts have been executed, and the City of Las Vegas is in the process of transferring funds and has also made an offer on a permanent facility. At an upcoming City Council meeting, the school will move to increase the number of board seats to nine, to ensure each ward served by the school is represented.

Board Approved a Recommendation for School to Submit Recruitment and Enrollment Plans

SPCSA presented a recommendation for schools to submit recruitment and enrollment plans in progress of increasing populations of FRL, ESL, and IEP students served. The recommendation presented included focusing on the FRL student group, as this population represented the greatest disparity, and identifying schools by comparing school FRL percentage to local district schools with the largest FRL rates. Schools making adequate progress (at least 25% increase in the enrollment of students who qualify for FRL in the prior year) were removed from the list. This process resulted in 14 schools being identified to submit recruitment and enrollment plans.

These enrollment plans include staff issuing guidance to the identified schools. Plans would need to be submitted in September 2022 and should detail recruiting and enrolling students who quality for FRL (but the schools can also explore other student groups). Strategies in the plan should fall under at least one of the following categories:

  • Raising awareness
  • Ensuring the school provides a welcoming and supportive environment for all learners, or
  • Increasing the likelihood that such students are selected through the enrollment process.

SPCSA staff will provide feedback and regular updates, and schools will implement plans and provide SPCSA staff with data regarding the effectiveness of those strategies.

Board discussion included questions on monitoring, other state models, and school feedback on the process.

Explore the recommendation memo and SPCSA FRL data.

Board Heard an Update on the SPCSA Growth Management Plan

Staff held a meeting with a community working group to review the current version of the Growth Management Plan. The updated plan will be brought to the Board in June.

Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):

Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:

  • The Growth Management Plan
  • Enrollment and staffing data reporting for new schools

Click here to see the long-range calendar.

The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for May 20, 2022 @ 9:00 am. 

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Opportunity 180 Partners with Surge Institute to Launch Program in Southern Nevada

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Surge Academy, a national program that develops, elevates, and unites leaders of color within the education and youth-serving space, will be expanding to two new cities in 2022: Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

Designed by the Surge Institute, the Surge Academy program provides an intensive leadership experience, packed with powerful content that explores executive skills such as finance, strategic planning, and change management. In addition, throughout the program, fellows engage in a deep and unflinching dialogue about personal growth, trauma, and the true state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the United States.

Mathew Mauricio Rojas (IND ‘21), an alum of the program and Assistant Professor of Practice at Relay Graduate School of Education, shares what he gained.

“Because of my experience with the Surge Academy, I now am a fuller version of myself,” Rojas said. “I feel confident in my leadership and don’t feel like I am asking for permission to be who I am becoming. I am now surrounded by people who believe in me and see me for who I was, am, and hope to be and know they will be there to support me.”

In September, thanks to a partnership with Opportunity 180, Surge will also start recruitment for a Las Vegas Surge Academy, which will develop, elevate and unite leaders in the city, as well as all of Clark County, Nevada.

“In an ongoing effort to strengthen and accelerate the pipeline of education leaders who represent the diversity of Southern Nevada, we are thrilled to partner with the Surge Institute team to provide the opportunity to launch the Las Vegas Surge Academy,” said Jana Wilcox Lavin, CEO of Opportunity 180. “The Academy is a momentous step forward in building out the region’s educational ecosystem to better reflect that diversity, and will have a significant impact on students, families, and our community.”

Originally launched in Kansas City, the six-month fellowship has grown into a signature program of the Surge Institute. To date, the Surge Academy has graduated three cohorts, two in Kansas City and one in Indianapolis respectively, totaling 44 leaders who have transitioned into Surge’s National Alumni Network of more than 200 leaders of color. More recently the Academy has kicked off a new cohort in Indianapolis and launched a new fellowship experience in Washington D.C.

Upon graduating from the Surge Academy, fellows maintain a deep connection to the Surge national movement, united in the purpose of building an equitable future for communities of color.

To learn more about applying to the Surge Academy, visit the Surge Academy homepage. Applications for the Las Vegas cohort will open in the fall.

Sign up for the Surge Institute’s Quarterly Newsletter and follow the Surge Institute and Surge Academy on social media to stay informed about upcoming events, news, and related developments.

—

About The Surge Institute:

The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established with a simple but important mission to develop and elevate leaders of color who create transformative change for children, families, and communities. Founded by Carmita Semaan in 2014, the organization was designed to empower emerging diverse leaders to change the landscape of education by providing them with a unique, authentic leadership development experience. To learn more about The Surge Institute, please visit: www.surgeinstitute.org

Nevada Ed-Watch: 04/07/22

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.

Clark County School District Board of Trustees 

What is the Board of Trustees & what are they responsible for? The CCSD Trustees are publicly elected decision-makers for the school district. They are responsible for providing oversight to the Superintendent and establishing District-wide policy. Trustees are accountable to work with their communities to improve student achievement.

Click here to learn more and see a list of current Trustees
Click here to find your Trustee District

How often does the Board of Trustees meet? Trustees meet twice per month (second and fourth Thursdays) at 5 pm both virtually and at the Edward A. Greer Education Center Board Room (2832 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89121).

Click here for a full list of Trustees meetings and agendas
Click here to visit Hope For Nevada’s #NVEd Calendar

Can community members engage at Trustee meetings? Decision-making bodies benefit greatly from hearing public input and multiple perspectives. Currently, members of the public can submit comments on agenda and non-agenda items through email or voice recording. Public comment can be provided in person, via email, or via voice recording. Email comments should be submitted to Boardmtgcomments@nv.ccsd.net. To submit a voice recording on items listed on the meeting agenda, call 702-799-1166. Voice recorded public comment is limited to 1 minute 30 seconds.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Clark County School District Board of Trustees Meeting

Click here to see the meeting agenda.
Watch the meeting playback on Facebook or CCSD EduVision.

What happened at this meeting?

Public Comment #1 on Non-Agenda Items

Members of the public shared comments regarding: 

  • Parent concerns on school-level staff
  • Student concerns regarding school safety
  • Student concerns over Global Community High School policies
  • Elementary school physical education programming
  • District-wide student testing

Explore written public comment.

Trustees Approved the Consent Agenda (7-0)

Consent Agenda Highlights:

There was no public comment on consent agenda items.

Trustees Conducted a Public Hearing and Approved an Amendment to the 2021-2023 Negotiated Agreement between CCSD and the Education Support Employees Association Regarding Correction to Pay Matrix Language (6-1-0)

A public hearing took place regarding an amendment to the 2021-2023 negotiated agreement between CCSD and the Education Support Employees Association. The amendment modifies language in Articles 19-4, 19-4-2, and 19-4-3 and eliminates the previous column of the pay matrix designated at A1. Employees hired on or after July 1, 2022, will be placed at B1 of the pay matrix. There are no additional costs associated with this amendment.

There was one Trustee abstention on this vote. 

Explore the fiscal impacts summary and agreement.

Trustees Approved ​​a Notice of Intent to Adopt, Repeal, or Amend Clark County School District Regulation 5111: Age of Entrance and Enrollment Identity Documentation Requirements; Policy 5111: Age of Entrance and Enrollment Identity Documentation Requirements; and Regulation 5111.1: Enrollment Identity Documentation Requirements (7-0)

Staff presented these agenda items concurrently (4.02, 4.03, and 4.04). Changes to the language include removing outdated language and replacing the language so it is aligned with Nevada Revised Statutes to be in compliance with legislative action. This language relates to the change in enrollment age for kindergarten, in that a child must be five years of age on or before the first day of the school year to be admitted to kindergarten; prior regulations and policies stated that a child had to be at least age five on or before September 30 of the school year to be admitted to kindergarten. This policy also specifies required documentation to prove the age of the child in order to be enrolled in kindergarten. 

This item will be submitted for approval at the Thursday, May 12, 2022, Board of Trustees meeting. 

Explore the Notice of Intent for Regulation 5111, the Notice of Intent for Policy 5111, and the Notice of Intent for Regulation 5111.1.

Trustees Approved the CCSD 2022-2023 Tentative Budget to be Filed with the State of Nevada (7-0)

Staff presented the tentative 2022-2023 fiscal year budget, to be submitted to the Department of Taxation by April 15. Authorization of the tentative budget and adoption of the final budget is due to be heard May 16. Uncertainties reflected in the budget include enrollment numbers, risk of recession, and partial continuation of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) initiatives after the federal funding period ends.

Student enrollment is expected to be down slightly for the fiscal year, with an expected average daily enrollment of about 300,000 students.

The Pupil-Centered Funding Plan will be fully implemented for the 2022-23 school year, with districts receiving adjusted base funding, weighted funding, and auxiliary service funding. Challenges include fixed costs in schools affecting small schools disproportionately, possible disproportional custodial costs, staffing ratios for 1 and 2-star schools compared to 3, 4, and 5-star schools, and different types of schools with varied needs.

To address these challenges, the district has stratified per-pupil funding by elementary, middle, and high school, type of school, and enrollment. Additional add-on amounts and Hold Harmless ceiling and floors were also established.  Academic leadership, the Business and Finance Unit, principals, and other parties will meet to review methods to improve funding for various types of schools and further update the funding model to better meet the objectives of Focus: 2024 and the needs of students. Staff also provided detail on Weighted Funding formulas for At-Risk, English Learners, and Gifted and Talented programs. 

Total per pupil revenues will be $9,573 this year, a slight increase from $9,466 last fiscal year. General operating revenues are expected to be $2,872,293,000, a change of $7,148,100 from the previous fiscal budget. 

83% of the tentative budget will be spent on salaries and benefits, a decrease from previous years, due to a change in how services for EL students, at-risk students, and Gifted and Talented students are classified in special revenue funds. The remaining 17% includes textbooks/supplies, utilities, professional services, technology, etc. On staffing, about 85% of salaries and benefits are for school-level personnel. Additional details on spending can be found in the budget presentation.

In comparing the 2022-23 tentative budget with last year’s, the district is expecting about $117 million in increased expenditures, attributed primarily to contracts and employee increases and spending down funds that sit in school carryover. The ending fund balance unassigned is projected at $122 million, or 4.25% carryover, a slight increase from last fiscal year.

Explore the budget presentation and budget.

Trustees Discussed the Development and Revision of Policies and Regulations Relating to School District Reorganization

Staff gave an overview on policy recommendations to align district organization with state regulations in NRS 388G and NAC 388G to be in compliance with AB 469. These include recommendations regarding general provisions of these regulations; formation of local school precincts; financial determinations and considerations for local school precincts; management and operation of local school precincts; and monitoring effectiveness of local school precincts. 

These policy recommendations include adding language that documents the requirements for sharing information, transferring responsibilities, and defining site-based decision making, as well as requirements regarding other procedures relating to transferring responsibilities to schools, staff selections, and staff assignments. It also recommends including language in new regulations that document requirements for the selection, placement, and responsibilities of region superintendents and school associate superintendents; budget development; requirements related to School Organizational Teams and School Plans of Operation; requirements for monitoring effectiveness of local school precincts; dispute resolution related to the reorganization of the district; and requirements relating to service level agreements. 

Relating to NAC 388G regulations, the recommendation is to await final action from the Nevada State Board of Education. 

Trustees discussed School Organizational Teams, streamlining supply needs and appeals processes, and ways to increase communication and collaboration among stakeholders. The next steps would be for staff to take the recommendations and feedback from the Trustees to synthesize into a draft to be presented to the board as a Notice of Intent.

Explore the presentation, NRS and NAC language, and the 2018 plan for implementation.

Public Comment #2 on Non-Agenda Items

Members of the public shared comments on this item regarding: 

  • Spelling bee programs in elementary schools
  • Literacy programs
  • Staffing concerns
  • Student discipline and behavior 
  • Concerns over Global Community High School policies
  • Infinite Campus data
  • Special education and IEPs
  • Teacher pay and insurance

The next Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for April 28, 2022 @ 5pm. 

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