Carson City School Board to discuss limiting public access to school grounds, one-time staff performance pay, and more

The next Carson City School District School Board meeting will take place Tuesday June 28 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Robert ‘Bob’ Crowell Board Room within the Carson City Community Center.

— During Tuesday’s meeting, Carson City Schools Superintendent Richard Stokes will be recognized for his years of service, as he will be retiring this year.

— A presentation will be held regarding the renewal of property and casualty insurance with the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool an an amount not to exceed $768,279.84; self-insurance bond in an amount not to exceed $4,740; and excess workers compensation with Star Insurance Company in the amount of $52,074 for July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

— A discussion will be held on proposed changes to a district policy involving school visitors to campuses as well as to any district property.

According to the agenda, the district’s Risk Manager reviewed the policy and made suggested changes, which will be presented.

There are many changes within the draft, but the changes boil down to this: the language will no longer state that parents and guardian’s are “encouraged” to visit their child’s classrooms, but rather, that school properties are not open to the general public and any visits from the public, including parents or guardians, should be pre-arranged with the school.
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UPDATE: The district would like to make clear that the public is welcome on school district grounds so long as meetings are prearranged and non-disruptive to the education process.

Dan Davis of the Carson City School District said, “We want more parents in the classroom because when they are, they’ll see what is being taught is beneficial to their children. But visitors need to be screened and shouldn’t be a distraction or hinder education.”
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Parents or guardians will not be allowed to observe staff members for the purpose of determining competency, which is reserved to the district.

The site administrator has the right to limit, end, or deny a visit to avoid disruption to school operations, including during time of student assessment.

Denial will also occur if, upon the completion of a background check, the visitor is determined to be a registered sex offender, has been trespassed from school property, or is otherwise prohibited from entering school property.

— A discussion and six month review will be held regarding the district’s plan for a safe return to in-person instruction and continuity services for the 2022-2023 school year.

— A discussion and possible action will be held to approval the renewal of an agreement between Chartwells, Food Service Management Consultant and the Carson City School District at a cost to the district of an administrative fee not to exceed $55,030 and a management fee not to exceed $0.08809 per meal with funding to come from the Nutrition Fund.

— Discussion and possible action will be held on a resolution to approve the final amendment budget for 2021-2022 to include revisions for certified enrollment, audited fund balance, carry forward amounts, use of contingency funds, and recommended augmentations to specific funds.

— Action will be taken regarding the 2022-2023 tentative agreements with the following Carson City School District bargaining groups:
Carson City Administrators Association (CCAA)
Ormsby County Education Association (OCEA)
and Carson Education Support Association (CESA)

Certified (OCEA)

Term: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023;
• Salary: 0% base salary increase;
• Revised Longevity categories and pays to 10 year = $750, 15 year = $1000, 20 year = $1500, 25 year = $2000 (from 15 year = $800, 20 year = $1700);
• Some additional or revised supplemental positions; • Formalized Letter of Investigation template;
• Language cleanup and clarification;
• Fiscal Impact $542,258

Administrators (CCAA)

Term: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023;
• Salary: 0% base salary increase;
• Elementary Principals will accrue 9 days/yr of annual leave (from 5);
• 90-day maximum accrual of annual leave for all admin;
• Language cleanup and clarification;
• Fiscal Impact $68,894

Classified (CESA)

Term: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023;
• Salary: 0% base salary increase;
• $250 retention/hiring bonus paid October 22 and March 23 (all classified staff)
• Additional $250 retention/hiring bonus paid October 22 and March 23 for custodians, bus drivers, special education paraprofessionals;
• Responsibility pay begins after 5 days (currently 15);
• If employee is injured by student in the scope of their duties, administrative leave to be authorized if needed with no sick leave deduction;
• Personal leave compensating balance payout begins after 6 years (currently 10)
• Language cleanup and clarification;
• Fiscal Impact $485,753

— A discussion and possible action will be held to authorize an additional pay for Performance Staff Payment for the 2021-2022 school year. The fiscal impact will not exceed $1 million.

According to the agenda:

In November, the Board of Trustees approved a $500 Pay for Performance payment to recognize the work of eligible employees.

As activities to prepare for fiscal year end have begun, it is clear that job vacancies have put further downward pressure on staffing costs relative to what has been budgeted.

This difference is effectively “one-time money” for the current year in that we would hope to have these positions filled next year.

An important note is that due to a changing landscape of what the Pupil Centered Funding Plan ending fund balance sweep provisions, an increase in fund balance will likely be swept by the State into the Education Stabilization Fund.

Mr. Feuling will continue to monitor the budget up until the meeting and provide any other insight that could impact consideration to further modify the Pay for Performance amount for the year.

You can read the agenda in its entirety here.

You can watch the meeting on Youtube here.