Carson City School District Board of Trustees Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Carson City School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. (agenda noted 2 p.m. but meeting convened at 6 p.m.) to address several major items including the adoption of the 2026-27 academic calendar, designation of critical labor shortage positions, approval of the audit firm for FY 2026, and a detailed budget update. The meeting featured significant public testimony on the proposed elimination of school social worker positions and on the proposed academic calendar. Key outcomes included unanimous approval of the district audit firm, unanimous approval of the critical labor shortage designations, and unanimous adoption of a new academic calendar (Draft G), which includes weekly early release on Tuesdays, five professional learning days, and the school year ending June 3, 2027.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda items 1 (adoption of the agenda), 2 (flag salute), 3 (superintendent's report), and 4 (board reports) were approved by unanimous consent.
• Agenda item 11 (Consent Agenda) was moved by Trustee Varner, seconded by Trustee Roberts, and passed unanimously without public comment.
• Agenda item 12 (information agenda items) was acknowledged with no questions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Social Worker Program Support: Three members of the public spoke passionately in favor of retaining the district's 12 school social workers (1.3 million program). Lindsay Bly, a teacher at Seeliger Elementary, distributed letters from students and described social workers as a "lifeline" for students, families, and staff. Madison Crozier, a Carson High School senior, shared her personal experience, stating that social workers helped her after a sexual assault on campus and with anxiety, and pleaded for the board to "think about the students' well-being." Logan Hodis also urged the board to keep social workers, noting they help students in crisis and support learning. Additionally, over 30 emails were read into the record from community members supporting the social workers.
• Academic Calendar Comments: Multiple speakers addressed the proposed 2026-27 calendar. Lindsay Bly (again) opposed Draft G, fearing that professional learning days would lead to more absenteeism (e.g., families taking trips during short weeks). Jamie Stevenson, a parent at Bordewich Elementary, expressed opposition to weekly early release days, arguing they would not help students or teachers and that more meetings would add administrative burden. She questioned teacher contract hours. Carrie Pryor, principal of Seeliger Elementary, advocated for Draft G with five professional learning days, stating that the number-one indicator of student growth is the teacher in the classroom and that five PL days are essential for required trainings (e.g., CKLA implementation, mandatory reporting). Brian Wallace, president of Ormsby County Education Association, echoed support for five PL days, emphasizing teacher-led professional learning communities (PLCs). Jennifer Ward, principal of Fremont Elementary and president of the administrators association, and Chalice Crookshanks, principal of Mark Twain Elementary, also urged adoption of Draft G, stressing that three PL days would leave only 30-minute windows for training, which is inadequate for curriculum initiatives. Dan Karstens, principal of Carson High School, asked the board to trust administrators to structure time effectively and to base decisions on data, experience, and research rather than fear.

Discussion Items

• Designation of Audit Firm for FY 2026: Trustee Varner moved to approve Silva Sherwin & Associates LLC as the independent audit firm for fiscal year 2026 at a cost not to exceed $75,400. The amount is a ~3% increase ($2,900) over the previous year but remains below the cost of the last audit performed by a different firm 11 years ago. Mr. Winward explained that the district reviewed alternatives and found the current firm provides excellent value, serving other Nevada school districts. The motion passed unanimously.
• Critical Labor Shortage Designations (NRS 286.523): Mr. Saddler presented a request to designate 11 categories of positions as critical labor shortages for two years, covering certified elementary/secondary/special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, deaf/hard-of-hearing interpreters, school psychologists, special education paraprofessionals, cooks/bakers, mechanics, and school bus drivers. Currently, 9 positions are filled with critical-needs employees (retirees) and others are filled with long-term substitutes or remain vacant. The district conducts extensive recruitment via Indeed, career fairs, and word-of-mouth (70% of hires). Trustee Varner and Trustee Roberts clarified that the designation does not prevent further recruitment for permanent hires. The motion passed unanimously.
• Academic Calendar 2026-27: Chief Academic Officer Brandon Bringhurst presented a detailed follow-up to the January discussion. Two draft calendars (F and G) were presented, differing in start date, professional learning days, and end date. Key decisions: end first semester before winter break (yes, with a teacher workday); parent-teacher conferences as two full days (fall and spring); weekly early release day (preferred over every other week); professional learning days (5 vs. 3); and school end date (June 3 vs. before Memorial Day). Extensive stakeholder input was gathered: parent meetings at each school (5-25 parents), two staff meetings (35 attendees), and student meetings at middle and high schools (~75 students). The district recommended Draft G: early release on Tuesdays, five PL days, and ending June 3. Board discussion included support for Tuesdays (to maximize access to RPDP resources) and June 3 (to avoid graduation conflicts and safe-grad night issues). After two initial motions failed (Trustee Varner's motion for G with Wednesday early release and June 3 had no second; Trustee Roberts' motion for Draft F had no second), the board reached consensus. Trustee Clappin moved to approve Draft G as presented, seconded by Trustee Ramirez. Public comment followed (noted above). After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
• Budget Update for FY 2026-27: Superintendent AJ Fuelling provided an informational update on the district's budget challenges. Key points: per-pupil funding is essentially flat, student enrollment is declining (projected 6,763.1 students for next year, with further declines of 40-100+ students in subsequent years), and state/federal grants have diminished. The district faces a structural deficit. Current year budgeted deficit spending is covered by $18.5 million in reserves. For FY 2026-27, if no changes were made, the deficit would be ~$7.4 million. Proposed reductions (the "tighter scenario") include: eliminating 6 TOSA positions (4.12 FTE general fund reduction, rest covered by grants), reducing 6 elementary teaching positions (with class sizes ranging 19.4-21.5), 3 middle school teachers, 5 high school teachers, 1 administrative assistant, and eliminating the entire 12-FTE social worker program (costing $1.3 million, previously grant-funded). These cuts bring the projected deficit to ~$3.65 million. Superintendent Fuelling noted that the board had previously expressed a preference for a $2-3 million deficit, but asked the board to consider allowing a slightly larger deficit given the positive audit and desire to minimize staff impact. Trustee Roberts emphasized the long-term trajectory: without further cuts, reserves could be exhausted by FY 2029 or sooner if enrollment continues to decline. She recommended reducing operating budgets by 5% to get closer to a $3 million deficit. Fuelling noted that operating budgets have been flat for years and further cuts would be painful. The board did not take action but will consider final decisions at the April meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Approval (7-0): Motion to designate Silva Sherwin & Associates LLC as the audit firm for FY 2026 (contract not to exceed $75,400).
• Unanimous Approval (7-0): Motion to approve the critical labor shortage designations for the listed positions for two years.
• Unanimous Approval (7-0): Motion to adopt Draft G as the 2026-27 academic calendar. Features:
  • First semester ends before winter break with a teacher workday.
  • Parent-teacher conferences: two full days in fall and two in spring.
  • Weekly early release on Tuesdays (90-minute teacher collaboration time).
  • Five professional learning days (no school for students) on specified dates.
  • Last day of school: June 3, 2027.
• No Action on Budget: The budget update was for discussion only. Superintendent Fuelling will bring a finalized budget proposal to the April meeting for possible action. The board expressed desire to see the deficit reduced further, possibly through operating budget cuts and continued scrutiny of new programs.
• Future Agenda Items: The superintendent's evaluation will be conducted at the first meeting in April. Trustee Peterson requested a presentation on chronic absenteeism and tardies at a future meeting.
• Meeting Adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m. after a brief break.