CCSD budget deficit and other issues prompting lawmakers to draft legislation in response

Las Vegas (KSNV) — A series of issues in the Clark County School District that have drawn community attention are prompting Nevada lawmakers to consider legislation that can prevent this situation from happening again in the future.

There are still four months until the 2025 legislative session.

And bills are already in the works, including for our K-12 schools here in Clark County.

Rep. Shannon Bilbray Axelrod, chair of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education, says bills are currently being discussed to address CCSD's ongoing budget problems, including a $20 million deficit.

“I think there will be a wide range of possibilities, whether it be splitting up the school district or additional oversight,” Bilbray-Axelrod said.

Last month, Crisis in the Classroom broke the news of budget problems in the district that have now resulted in some staffing and program cuts at certain schools.

CCSD school board member Linda Cavazos says the budget also needs to take district-level policies into account.

“Guidelines that give us more information sooner and in a more timely manner,” Cavazos said.

Bilbray-Axelrod says her committee is also advancing a bill that would close rural schools.

This also includes a look at Lundy Elementary on Mount Charleston.

There was controversy after the board voted 4-3 not to repair the school, which the district says is costly following damage from Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023.

“They will examine the reason for the recommendation to close the school,” Bilbray-Axelrod said. “We’re providing a lot of transparency and daylight so people know the costs associated with school closures.”

The bill would also prevent a school from closing if due to natural causes or enrollment.

Another hot topic that lawmakers and some CCSD board members are considering has to do with former district administrator Katie Williams, who resigned last month after being accused of living out of state.

“There are very, very strict residency requirements that you actually live in the district,” Bilbray-Axelrod said.

“We really make sure that individuals live in the community that they represent,” said CCSD Trustee Ramona Esparza-Stoffregan. “I mean, we don’t want something like this to happen again. It’s unethical.”

This issue has created several problems within the currently divided school board.

One of them had to do with the fact that several trustees requested an open discussion about the vacant trustee position a few weeks ago and was rejected by the board chair, the trustees said.

Cavazos wants the board to re-evaluate CCSD policies related to the power dynamics on the board.

“When we had balanced governance before, we had this on the agenda: Every time we had a meeting, we had a place for two-way communication between trustees and superintendent in public in front of our constituents,” Cavazos said.

Bilbray-Axelrod and lawmakers are taking a step to resolve divisions on the board.

Currently, the CCSD Board of Trustees consists of six voting members and will increase to seven once Williams' seat is filled, as well as four appointed members.

Currently, appointed members can only submit applications.

But the legislature wants to change that.

“I think they will be given full voting rights just to maybe calm the temperature in the room a little bit,” Bilbray-Axelrod said.

Trustee Cavazos also wants to reevaluate CCSD policies after former superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara handed out raises to his cabinet before walking out the door without having to seek board approval.

What school legislation would you like to see this legislative session?

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