Dear ECSD Families and Elko County Community,
Last week, I presented initial budget recommendations alongside the findings of our Budget Exploratory Advisory Group. I want to begin by thanking the members of that group for their tireless work, and I also want to thank you for your continued engagement.
In times like this, you deserve clear and honest information, even when the news is difficult. I’ve heard the concerns being shared in board meetings and across social media, and I want to speak directly to some of those anxieties and provide clarity on our path forward.
This work and these developments are happening daily. One recent example is the good news that, thanks to two generous community partners, middle school intramural sports have now been funded for the spring and winter for the rest of this school year, as well as the next three school years! I want to thank our middle school staff for acting quickly so the brief pause was of minimal impact. We are also deeply grateful to our community partners who continue to support our schools and listen when needs arise. That partnership is truly appreciated.
Next, there has been considerable discussion suggesting that a certain number of teachers will lose their jobs. I want to be clear that this does not accurately reflect our proposals. While we are proposing reductions in some positions to balance the budget, we are not planning mass layoffs. There is an important difference between eliminating a vacant role, or one filled by a temporary placement, and terminating a contracted teacher. Even in times without financial pressure, enrollment declines like those we are experiencing typically result in fewer positions over time.
Guided by our negotiated agreements and ethical practices, we are first managing staffing adjustments through:
Attrition and Retirements: Not replacing roles as people naturally move on.
Strategic Vacancy Management: Leaving non-critical positions unfilled.
Reassignment: Offering currently contracted employees new opportunities and options within the district.
Our central question remains: How can we minimize disruption for the fewest number of students and staff? Sometimes, this means consolidating changes in one area—such as addressing underutilized classrooms in Elko—rather than spreading instability across the entire district.
Fiscal responsibility starts at the top. We have already reduced central office staffing by approximately 8%, including a cabinet-level position. Every role in the district is being reviewed with a critical eye, and this approach is already helping narrow the gap between where we are and where we need to be.
Another topic I want to address is the process moving forward, including responsibility for decision-making and timelines. It is first important to distinguish between the types of decisions being made:
Administrative Actions: Some decisions, such as position reductions or consolidation of web-based programs, are handled by the central office team and do not fall under the purview of our Board of Trustees.
Board Actions: Significant changes, such as school consolidations, large-scale technology purchases, or negotiations with unions, would necessitate Board action in a public meeting.
At last week’s board meeting, all proposals were shared openly so everyone could see the full scope of our cost-saving ideas, regardless of who ultimately has the final say on any individual item. This transparency ensures that even when the Board is not required to act, the community remains informed.
If we implemented every recommendation exactly as presented, we would project an ending fund balance near zero. But "zero" is not our goal. Our goal is to move beyond mere survival. We are working to rebuild a sustainable fund balance that ensures Elko County schools are never in this position again. We are making these difficult choices now to ensure stability for your children and your careers in the years ahead.
I encourage you to stay engaged and check our Board agendas (typically posted the Thursday prior to meetings) as we move through the end of the school year. Today you will see the agenda posting for our next regular meeting Tuesday, March 3 and a Special Board Meeting set for March 10. Thank you for your patience, your professionalism, and your commitment to our students as we navigate these necessary steps together.
Sincerely,
CJ Anderson