Dear ECSD Families and Elko County Community,
I hope you all had an enjoyable and restful holiday season and New Year's spent with those who mean most to you. Here at ECSD, we are starting the New Year with renewed energy as we begin a new semester and the third quarter of school.
As promised, I am providing you with an update and follow-up to my message sent in early December regarding the district’s budget implications from declining enrollment and other factors.
Since that message, the budget exploratory committee has met twice. The last meeting, held during our first week back from winter break, included the beginning of reviewing results from the budget priorities survey sent to families and staff. The survey has officially closed today, and the committee thanks you for your honest feedback and perspectives.
To explain how school funding works in Elko County, and in Nevada, we have created an ECSD Budget & Funding Overview webpage for staff, parents, community members, and students. There you will find the summarized results of the budget priority survey and an article series, beginning with “How Nevada Schools Are Funded,” with more topics to come. You will also find other resources, including Nevada school funding information, annual reports, as well as historical information - I won't go on as there is a lot there and much more will be added. But I encourage you to take a look and reach out if you have any questions.
While the committee continues its work on recommendations, central office administration has begun its annual review of classrooms and enrollment. It’s important that I mention to you that this happens every year: we look at which positions need to be filled or whether teachers need to be transferred within schools, etc., primarily based on enrollment. We do this to prepare for next year, guided by current negotiation agreements.
As these conversations are taking place in schools, I don’t want them to be confused with the workings or recommendations of the committee. That has not happened yet. They have not made their recommendations to me. It goes without saying that this normal procedure feels like it has added significance this year, as it will guide the committee and, hopefully, lessen the impact of decisions to come.
You can expect an update from me in February, before I take my own recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Again, public comment is always welcome during this process and can be done in person or emailed to Board Members.
Thank you for your continued support and concern.
Sincerely,
CJ Anderson
Superintendent