Henderson students prepare for change as budget cuts change teachers

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Some parents in the Inspirada area are starting to feel the effects of the $20 million deficit in the Clark County School District's budget.

Now, some parents at Ellis Elementary School are once again concerned about the impact this will have on their children, who attend special programs with their current teachers.

Heather Seltzer's two daughters attend Ellis Elementary School, but she recently received a letter from the principal saying up to six teachers will be transferred and some will go to other schools. Additionally, three additional students will be added to each school.

So she will have 25 classmates in her daughter Nora's second grade class.

“It's already full and the teachers are overcrowded, that's not fair,” Seltzer shared.

One of the teachers being transferred is her daughter Nora's current second-grader.

“I just met her and I already loved her in a way that not many people start loving their teacher in the eighth week of school,” Nora said.

There is also concern that Nora won't get the attention she needs due to the new class size and a new teacher.

“Nora had some behavioral issues since she started school, she could act a little,” Seltzer said.

Nora's behavior caused her current teacher, Nora, and Nora's mother to devise a special plan known as a 504 plan so that Nora could work on her behavior while she was still in class with the other children.

“The plans were kept, her teacher was so communicative about everything, we did a few video conferences in the first few months of school to make sure she was on track and her behavior was up 180% this year compared to “was last year.” Seltzer explained.

But that was last year and this year now brings with it a whole new set of challenges.

“How do you tell your kids that your teacher is no longer there because of the money because someone from above made a mistake,” Seltzer said. “I don’t think Nora has any idea what’s happening.”

CCSD trustees are expected to discuss the budget deficit during their school board meeting on Thursday.

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