Carson City School District Board of Trustees Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Carson City School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Robert Crowell Board Room at the Community Center, 851 E. William Street, Carson City, Nevada. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including recognition of the Nevada Substitute Teacher of the Year, an informational presentation on a potential performing arts center at Carson High School, adoption of test procedures for the 2026‑2027 school year, approval of policy changes, a bill draft request to modify the Nevada Educator Performance Framework (NEPF), selection of an essay contest topic, and approval of the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of the Agenda – Approved unanimously as submitted.
• Approval of Consent Agenda – Including ratification of purchase orders and payables, approval of employment offers, non‑hires, terminations, and vaccination exemption requests – Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Online comment – A public comment email from Brian Alfie was received and included in the record.
• Carson High Basketball Boosters – Cody Shelton (President) and Sarah Billings presented the booster club’s mission to support six CHS boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, as well as programs at Eagle Valley and Carson Middle Schools. They announced the first annual Crosstown Classic eighth‑grade rivalry game on December 9, 2026, and a Birdies for Basketball golf tournament on October 10, 2026. They expressed support for school athletics and invited board members to attend games.

Discussion Items

1. Performing Arts Center at Carson High School (Informational Presentation)

• Presentation – Brad Van Woert (Van Woert Bigotti Architects) presented a concept for a performing arts center, noting that Carson High School has never had an auditorium despite being planned since the 1970s. The committee developed options (Honda, Chevrolet, Mercedes models). The preferred “Honda Plus” option includes a 600‑seat proscenium theater, rehearsal spaces, and a connector to the existing school, estimated at 32,000–35,000 sq ft with a cost of $32–35 million in today’s dollars.
• Community & Staff Input – Darby Beckwith, CHS theater teacher, spoke about the difficulty of scheduling at the community center and the need for a dedicated facility. She noted that half the student body participates in fine arts programs and that the program is growing (one student competed at the National High School Musical Theater Awards).
• Board Discussion – Trustees expressed strong support for the concept but raised concerns about funding and competing priorities (aging buildings, HVAC, playgrounds). Superintendent Feuling noted that capital improvement funds are separate from operating funds and that about $30 million in bond capacity may become available in 2–3 years. Trustees discussed public‑private partnerships, parking implications, and the possibility of community rentals. No action was taken; the presentation was for discussion only.

2. Adoption of CCSD Test Procedures and Security Plan for 2026‑2027

• Presentation – Dr. Ricky Medina reviewed the 28‑page plan, noting no substantive changes from the prior year. He explained irregularities (e.g., bomb‑threat shelter‑in‑place, cell phone issues, technical glitches) and reiterated that state tests are mandatory and cannot be opted out of.
• Board Action – After discussion, the board voted unanimously to adopt the plan with a technical correction changing “10 days” to “10 calendar days” on page 6 and page 16 to reconcile inconsistent language.

3. Policy 513 – Reporting Student Progress (Second Reading)

• Presentation – Brandon Bringhurst presented the second reading of Policy 513. The only change from the first reading was the addition of a definition for “timely” – feedback is returned while essential skills are actively being taught.
• Board Action – The board noted minor typos (e.g., “areas in needs of improvement” → “areas in need of improvement”) and approved the policy unanimously.

4. 2027 Legislative Session Bill Draft Request – Modifications to NEPF

• Presentation – Superintendent Feuling pivoted from the original request to eliminate the Nevada Educator Performance Framework (NEPF) to a more targeted proposal: modify the framework to reduce burden on teachers and administrators, create incentives for high‑performing educators, and allow more support for developing teachers. The proposed changes include differentiated observation cycles based on performance ratings (effective, highly effective, with three consecutive years options), replacing some formal observations with informal ones, and eliminating the requirement that the principal supervisor audit 3 % of evaluations.
• Board Discussion – Trustees supported the concept, emphasizing the need to clearly define “formal” vs. “informal” observations (including scheduling and post‑conferences). Trustee Stucuki suggested using formal observations with post‑conference only for effective teachers, while informal observations remain for highly effective. The board agreed to define “formal” as scheduled with a post‑conference, and “informal” as unscheduled shorter visits.
• Board Action – Motion by Trustee Roberts, seconded by Trustee Varner, to approve the bill draft request conditioned on the modifications discussed. Passed unanimously.

5. Great American Essay Contest Topic for 2026‑2027

• Discussion – Superintendent Feuling presented six topic options that had been vetted by principals across grade levels. After discussion, the board selected and modified Option #2. The final topic reads: “A strong democracy relies on understanding different perspectives. Describe why it is important to listen respectfully to people with views different from your own. How does civil discourse – the ability to disagree respectfully – strengthen a community? How can you encourage and be an example of this to others?”
• Board Action – Motion by Trustee Roberts, seconded by Trustee Peterson, to approve the modified topic. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous votes on all action items: agenda adoption, test procedures adoption (with amendment), Policy 513 approval, bill draft request for NEPF modifications (conditional), essay contest topic, and consent agenda.
• No action taken on the performing arts center presentation; further planning will be brought back to the board.
• Future agenda topics noted: policies 200‑211 will appear on the next agenda.