Carson City School District Board of Trustees Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Carson City School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Robert Crowell Board Room. The meeting included updates on student programs, health insurance renewal, a transcript partnership with UNR, bond financing for school improvements, capital project updates, and several policy revisions. The board approved the consent agenda, health insurance plan changes, a bond resolution, a revised capital improvement plan, and multiple policy amendments after discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (Item 19) including ratification of purchase orders, employment offers, vaccination exemptions, and September 22, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Adopted the meeting agenda unanimously (Item 1).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No in-person public comment was offered. Nine email public comments were received from: Jenny Van Sickle, Madison Vicaro, Anthony Vicaro, Charlie Sparrow, Nicholas, Julie Solano, Abigail Peludio, Sarah Vicaro, Cindy Solano, and Penny Costano Katsanos; these were placed into the record.
• Brian Wallace (OCEA president) spoke during Item 8 (health insurance), expressing appreciation for the benefits committee's work but criticizing the broken healthcare system and noting that this was the first time in 25 years costs were shifted to employees. He also praised the board for maintaining the HSA contribution.
• During Item 10 (bond resolution), Mr. Wallace thanked the board for using rollover bonding, stating that working conditions are student learning conditions and contrasting with other districts.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – SWORN Program Update: Nancy Varner and Mayela Quintania presented the SWORN program for 5th graders, which replaces DARE with six lessons on peer pressure, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, marijuana, prescription drugs, and social media. They use a “Pause, Think, Act” model. Trustees discussed expanding the program to younger grades; Trustee Roberts requested it as a parent. The program currently reaches all 5th graders. No action taken.
• Item 8 – Health Insurance Renewal (Calendar Year 2027): Valerie Clark (broker) reported that initial renewal request was a 37% increase due to a 117% loss ratio. After negotiations and market checks, the committee recommended a plan with an 11.29% overall increase. Changes include: adding a lower-cost HMO HSA plan ($3,000 district contribution), increasing deductibles and co-pays on buy-up plans, and introducing CareConnect (case management to bypass deductibles). Employees on buy-up plans will pay $53.09/month (HMO) or $112.82/month (PPO). Fiscal impact is ~$100,000 above budgeted 10% increase. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9 – UNR Transcript Project: Bridget Gordon, Nikki Hendee, and Dr. Steve Maples presented a partnership where junior transcripts are sent to UNR, which tiers students (Tier 1: admissible; Tier 2: close; Tier 3: community college path). Tier 1 students grew from 126 in 2025 to 188 in 2027 (class of ~526). Applications to UNR increased 73% and enrollment 44% since the project began. UNR funds a Nevada Bound trip for Tier 1 students. The PAC Promise covers tuition, fees, and books for Pell-eligible students. DACA students are included. Discussion only.
• Item 10 – Bond Resolution for School Improvements: Marty Johnson (bond advisor) explained the rollover program allows borrowing up to $15 million within the existing 43-cent tax rate, plus up to $10.05 million in refunding bonds (total $25.05 million PSF guaranteed). The $15 million will fund capital projects from the capital improvement plan. Refunding would save money if interest rates drop. Approved unanimously.
• Item 11 – Summer Capital Projects Update: Mark Johnson reviewed completed and ongoing projects, including: $8–9 million HVAC phase 1 at Carson High (15 air handlers, boilers, VAV valves), secure entry gates at CHS, district-wide slurry seal, tennis court resurfacing, painting at Carson Middle and Silver Campus, bathroom refresh at Mark Twain, concession stand refresh, and various maintenance. Most projects were completed within the two-month summer window. Discussion only.
• Item 12 – Revised Capital Improvement Plan FY2027-2031: Superintendent Feuling presented minor modifications, including adjusting HVAC phase 2 at Carson High ($3.7 million), adding $1 million for auditorium design, and noting potential $30 million bond in 2030. The plan reflects completed projects and upcoming needs. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 – Regulation 207.1 (Referral Procedures): Discussion on removing this regulation as part of cleanup; no action required.
• Item 14 – Policy Changes (Second Reading): Approved policies 204 (Homebound), 207 (Student Support Services), 207.3 (Reporting Restraints), and 208 (Programs for Students with Disabilities) with minor cleanup. Approved unanimously.
• Item 15 – Regulation 202 (Development of New Courses): Discussion only; trustees requested adding approval authority at the district level and enrollment thresholds. Board asked staff to revise for next meeting.
• Item 16 – Policy Changes (First Reading): Policies 201 (Education Research), 202 (Curriculum Assessment), and 206 (Comprehensive School Counseling Program) were discussed. Trustees suggested clarifying approval processes, board notification for significant curricular changes, and aligning policy 206 with state law (removing “grades 6-12”). Staff will revise.
• Item 17 – Policy 505 (Assignment Within District, First Reading): Brandon Bringhurst presented changes driven by NDE feedback, including: open enrollment window in January, removal of “habitual discipline concerns” (replaced with 10-day suspension/expulsion criteria), addition of “artistic abilities” to non-discrimination list, and clarification that variances roll over unless revoked for discipline/attendance. Trustees requested formatting changes (ABC breakdown) and grammar fixes. Staff will amend.
• Item 18 – Letter to Local Businesses: Originally intended as a letter to the editor about student attendance, but motioned to continue to next meeting due to agenda language discrepancy. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Agenda (Item 1); Health insurance renewal (Item 8) – unanimous; Bond resolution (Item 10) – unanimous; Revised Capital Improvement Plan (Item 12) – unanimous; Policies 204, 207, 207.3, 208 (Item 14) – unanimous; Consent agenda (Item 19) – unanimous.
• Continued: Letter to businesses (Item 18) to next meeting.
• Referred for Revision: Regulation 202 (Item 15) and policies 201, 202, 206 (Item 16) and 505 (Item 17) – staff to incorporate board feedback and bring back for future readings.
• Next Steps: Bond sale expected after December 16, 2026 state board approval, with issuance in early 2027. Staff will hold employee workshops on health insurance options. Facilities master planning process will begin anew.