The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to move forward with a plan to consolidate two elementary schools. During a special meeting on Tuesday, the board approved sending a required 30-day notice to parents, teachers, and staff of C.C. Meneley and Scarselli elementary schools, signaling the next step in a difficult budget-cutting process.
If the plan receives final approval in March, the two schools will combine in the fall, with Scarselli Elementary serving as the single campus for both student bodies. This move is part of a broader strategy to address significant financial shortfalls facing the district.
Key Takeaways
- Douglas County School District trustees voted to notify families and staff of a plan to consolidate C.C. Meneley and Scarselli elementary schools.
- The consolidation, if finalized, will take effect in the fall, with Scarselli Elementary becoming the main campus.
- The plan is part of a larger effort to achieve $1 million in budget reductions.
- The district anticipates eliminating approximately 60 positions, utilizing retirements and unfilled roles to minimize layoffs.
- The former C.C. Meneley campus is slated to become the new district office, allowing for the sale of current administrative properties.
Financial Pressures Force Difficult Decisions
The decision to consolidate the schools stems from the district's urgent need to reduce its operating budget. Superintendent Frankie Alvarado presented the proposal during a Town Hall meeting last week before bringing it to the board for a vote on the notification process. The consolidation is a key component of a larger plan designed to generate approximately $1 million in savings.
During the board meeting, some trustees expressed a desire to make all necessary cuts at once to avoid revisiting the painful process in the near future. The sentiment reflects the prolonged and challenging nature of the budget discussions that have weighed on the district and the community.
A Strategic Realignment of Assets
Beyond the immediate budget relief from combining school operations, the district has a multi-step plan to leverage its real estate. Once students from C.C. Meneley are moved to the Scarselli campus, the district office plans to relocate into the vacated Meneley building. This will then allow the district to sell its current offices on Mono Avenue and an adjacent parcel of land, providing a much-needed infusion of capital.
The district hired appraiser Ben Johnson to evaluate the properties at 1638 Mono Avenue, Minden, and an associated parcel. The sale of these assets is considered a critical part of the overall financial recovery plan that will be presented to the Nevada Department of Taxation for review.
The Human Impact of Consolidation
While the consolidation plan moves the district closer to its financial goals, it comes with significant human costs. The district estimates that the merger and related budget measures will lead to the elimination of around 60 staff positions across the district.
Officials are hopeful that the number of direct layoffs can be minimized. They plan to achieve a significant portion of the reduction through attrition, by not filling positions that become vacant due to retirements and voluntary departures. A list of retiring staff and currently unfilled roles is already being used to help reach the target number.
Layoff Procedures Are Governed by State Law
For any positions that must be eliminated through layoffs, the district is bound by a specific procedure outlined in the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). The process requires a district-wide evaluation based on employee performance. Seniority is only considered as a tie-breaker if performance metrics are equal, ensuring that reductions are based on established criteria rather than just years of service at a specific school.
The 30-day notice period initiated by the board's vote is a formal step required by law to inform all potentially affected employees, giving them time to prepare for the upcoming changes. The emotional toll on teachers, staff, and families at both schools has been a recurring theme throughout the public discussions.
Next Steps and Final Approval
The unanimous vote to issue notifications is a procedural but significant step. It does not represent the final decision on the consolidation itself. A final, binding vote on the merger is expected to take place in March after the 30-day notice period concludes and further discussions are held.
The district's comprehensive budget reduction plan, including the school consolidation and property sales, must be presented to the Nevada Department of Taxation. The outcome of that meeting could influence the board's final decisions.
The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees has a meeting scheduled for February 26. However, officials noted that a special meeting could be called sooner depending on the timeline of the taxation meeting and the final details of the consolidation plan. For now, the communities of C.C. Meneley and Scarselli elementary schools are left to navigate a period of uncertainty as the district works to secure its financial future.
