[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6310524,"mediaKeyId","2400978-d2819c8cddd52fa17ec0ba5096a29acf","parentId",2400978,"title","Trustees ask district to review allocation process; K–3 districtwide class-size analysis ordered","audioSeconds",7787,"startMs",3274000,"endMs",11061000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2400978-d2819c8cddd52fa17ec0ba5096a29acf&start=3274&end=11061","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2400978-d2819c8cddd52fa17ec0ba5096a29acf/thumbnail_3274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310524/Nevada/Trustees-ask-district-to-review-allocation-process-K3-districtwide-class-size-analysis-ordered","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310524-834a350266170ac0fd831c4552063490/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143347&Signature=DfZM637mUzV3CjJPSLyRMhJr6zPHbHPwrEPopfRoHzFj9xX2rIGeLuWrtGc9oaK0p6iWYk-IzQg~JG~ZUAybNR~Q3CP1pbcjMyuB5DNQ1gqDOhqQBIx1ISsH3Y7T7wDkrLvm-s8s~J9tniTrjG6hxJ1ioRuR2-HuqZVMF5JbkGz5usbwafxR4g4T7vQ3ZfU6tlJqbzIuv41FxB923bA-jR0MkZkVFmzIdCjIbg10gXhscQTI9MbNOh2IBhOn7LKPzcf3AFX0BDccxmyitmR7tBtU6D0CdrZD4aqug06VTcbMQrw4MPl4C8g1TaUxbVPeKkPkuikLNsBB1LI2nCcmgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washoe County School District, NV","date","2025-02-26T18:21:01Z","article","The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 directed the superintendent to analyze potential changes to the district’s school allocation process and to return with a specific analysis of what it would cost to meet a districtwide kindergarten-through-third-grade class-size target.

Deputy Superintendent Tiffany McMaster and elementary associate chief Dr. Mike Paul walked the board through the allocation cycle, including demographer projections beginning in October, certified allocations released the Monday after Thanksgiving, spring and summer adjustments based on infinite campus and online registration matches, count‑day true‑ups in the fourth week of school, and a November midyear window for possible additional allocations.

“Allocation decisions are very complex, and there are many factors that we must consider,” McMaster told the board, summarizing the tension between the “art and the science” of projecting students and aligning staffing.

Why it matters: roughly 80% of general fund expenditures are school‑based positions and about 88% of general‑fund revenue is enrollment-driven. Small changes in class size or enrollment can require teacher hires or lead to position reductions.

How the allocation math works

- Net enrollment: For teacher allocations the district subtracts full-time gifted-and-talented students and 75% of self‑contained special‑education students from gross enrollment to compute “net enrollment,” which is then divided by grade‑level maximum class sizes to determine teacher allocations.

- Timing and triggers: Spring/summer adjustments use Infinite Campus and online registration data; staff said the practical trigger for an early allocation in elementary grades is 10 students over a projected grade level allocation combined with about 90% online registration confirmation. Midyear adjustments are possible: for 1‑ and 2‑star schools staff said they will consider an allocation when the average class size is two students over the target; for 3–5 star schools staff require more sustained evidence before adding an allocation.

- Secondary complexity: Area superintendents and scheduling staff warned that the master schedule, teacher licensure requirements and course-specific enrollments make midyear allocations at middle and high schools more difficult to implement. A hire that reduces one subject's class size may not reduce others because of certification constraints.

Trustee concerns and staff response

Several trustees pressed staff on how the district treats students with special‑education services who “push in” to general‑education classrooms. Trustee Westlake said, “If a child is in a general classroom, to me it doesn't matter what the time frame is, 1 minute, 1 hour, 2 hours, there is an impact to that classroom,” and urged the district to count the instructional impact. Staff replied that net‑enrollment and IEPs are constantly changing and any change to the calculation would have budgetary consequences.

Class-size analysis ordered

Trustees expressed interest in quantifying the cost to reach a districtwide K–3 average class‑size target. Staff provided two illustrative calculations:

- Meeting the state statutory ratios as written (16:1 K–2, 18:1 grade 3) at every school would require an estimated 203 additional teacher positions at a cost of roughly $20.3 million, according to staff calculations.

- A stricter standard (the state board recommended 15:1 in K–3 in a prior assembly bill) would require an estimated 445 teachers and cost about $44.5 million.

Trustees unanimously approved a motion directing the superintendent to analyze and report back on potential changes to the allocation process and to include an analysis of achieving the districtwide K–3 ratio; Trustee Woodley moved, Trustee Westlake seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.

Other supports and details

Staff described supports for struggling schools, including instructional coaches and “super‑sub” long‑term substitute positions for collaborative (lowest-performing) schools; the board approved keeping allocations whole this year for 1‑ and 2‑star schools at count day at a district cost that staff reported as about $3.3 million for the year. The presentation also summarized special‑education caseload limits under Nevada Administrative Code 388 and noted the district must request exceptions when caseloads exceed NAC guidance.

Public comment

Public commenter Pablo Nava Duran raised concerns about elective offerings and school climate at individual high schools and asked how program allocations will be handled as new schools open and zoning shifts take effect.

What staff will do next

District staff said they will return with the requested analysis showing the number of teacher positions and estimated costs to meet a districtwide K–3 target and will continue to refine allocation triggers and timing to minimize student disruption while balancing budget constraints. Trustees said they expect the report in an upcoming budget discussion as staff continues to reconcile staffing flexibility with funding realities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-25-2025 WCSD Work Session of the Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","The board asked the superintendent to report on possible changes to the district allocation process and requested a specific analysis of meeting a districtwide K–3 class‑size target; staff described how enrollment projections, net-enrollment calculations, and timing drive schools' teacher allocations.","taxTitle","WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Nevada","taxId",13428,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6310529,"Washoe County School District projects $9.7 million shortfall; trustees direct budget and audit analyses",1804,616000,2420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2400978-d2819c8cddd52fa17ec0ba5096a29acf&start=616&end=2420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2400978-d2819c8cddd52fa17ec0ba5096a29acf/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6310529/Nevada/Washoe-County-School-District-projects-97-million-shortfall-trustees-direct-budget-and-audit-analyses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310529-2ee029782bed26bb1ba92135719f40f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143347&Signature=MAxPrVfKnfk7i77ON-c3hzOMSqQLdz0B686UXxeshr9zcmM~9xrZS5kv519GVxKTyaMR-jJdE2Yez6d0CMzGMgrrwvQe~xm6siWPfZImQSkVTXw2hAC2v7rRTU2Ge7XG9IgSZziKC55NTjbeHA8JXV9ZKHkdG-wkp6DtGkiRvvITgwcY3I3fZZb7OBYUrYA~J7VpToBFbhcoyL-~sEFPdRvHRCTfkiL4jjEw3h75YWZd3dtuRm5Qx4r5LbLHZDz0VbLTOztqi66vvWo4UTYzH8nZXlgoVW~hVz9r40uwj9GtCRMrojoyDdNwa4QpGm41aCxjwDWhGmAunTg1LjNoXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Feb. 25 work session the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees heard a briefing from Chief Financial Officer Mark Mathers and Budget Director Jeff Bozzo on the governor's amended biennial budget and the district's preliminary fiscal-year 2025–26 outlook, and voted to send two analyses back to staff.

The board directed the superintendent to (1) analyze and report back on new items related to the FY2025–26 budget and (2) conduct a fiscal analysis of the internal audit department's staffing needs. Both motions passed unanimously by voice vote.

District staff warned the board the governor's amended budget leaves the State Education Fund largely flat for K–12 operating dollars while shifting and reclassifying some compensation funding. “We are looking at a preliminary general fund deficit of $9,700,000,” Budget Director Jeff Bozzo told trustees during the presentation.

Why it matters: most operating dollars the district receives are enrollment-driven. Bozzo and CFO Mark Mathers said the amended documents show Washoe County School District's adjusted base per-pupil funding would be essentially unchanged in fiscal 2026 and rise by less than 1% in fiscal 2027. At the same time the district faces a projected enrollment decline and rising non-discretionary costs.

Key details

- Per-pupil funding: Staff said Washoe currently receives $9,705 per student in FY25; the governor's amendments show a $0 increase to the per-pupil amount for FY26 and a modest increase in FY27. The presentation said statewide adjusted base per-pupil funding decreases about 1% in year one of the biennium and rebounds less than 1% in year two.

- Enrollment and revenue impact: Staff reported a projected enrollment decline of “a little bit more than a thousand students,” which the district estimates will reduce revenues by about $10 million for FY26. Trustees and staff noted some offset is possible because fewer students generally reduce staffing needs, but that offset will not fully cover the projected revenue loss.

- SB 231 and compensation funding: The presentation described SB 231 as a funding vehicle for statewide compensation changes that, in effect, shifts some spending between the State General Fund and the State Education Fund. Washoe's SB 231 allocation was reported as steady at $19.3 million per year in the governor's amendment; staff said that flat amount buys a smaller percentage COLA as base salaries increase.

- Weighted funding volatility: Trustees heard that at‑risk weighted funding has been volatile; statewide at-risk funding fell and then partially rebounded under the amended budget. Staff said that volatility complicates long-term planning for supports targeted at higher‑need students.

- Special education: The governor's amendment included increased local special education funding to help cover already‑incurred district special‑education costs. Staff described that increase as a “bright spot” that eases pressure on the general fund in the near term but does not address future growth.

- Preliminary general fund picture: District staff showed projected revenue increases of about $18.8 million (driven largely by special-education adjustments and a small uptick in local revenues) versus known expenditure increases of roughly $28.5 million, producing the cited $9.7 million preliminary deficit. Known expenditure pressures cited included step increases, PERS and health insurance cost increases, and added special‑education staffing tied to growing IEP caseloads.

Trustee direction and board actions

- Internal audit analysis: President Smith moved that the board direct the superintendent to conduct a fiscal analysis of the internal audit department’s needs in partnership with the chief internal auditor. “Chief internal auditor Starkey is asking potentially for another position, but he would like to do a fiscal analysis of his team in partnership with senior staff,” President Smith said when she introduced the motion. Trustee Westlake seconded; the board approved the motion 6–0.

- Budget analysis direction: The board also voted to direct the superintendent to analyze and report back to the board new items related to the FY2025–26 budget. The motion was seconded by Trustee Diane Nicolette and carried by voice vote 6–0.

What staff will do next

District leaders told trustees they will continue running options and “financial reengineering” ideas and will return with recommendations after March as more information becomes available from the legislature and the state’s economic forum. Bozzo and Mathers said they will also engage in legislative outreach to explain the local effects of the state budget.

Public comment

One public commenter, Pablo Nava Duran, urged attention to elective offerings at specific high schools and signatures programs, and raised school‑level concerns; his remarks were recorded during the public comment period on the budget item.

The board’s next steps include staff analysis of reallocation options, any recommended cost‑savings measures or investments, and follow‑up reports on how the governor's budget revisions affect Washoe’s final FY26 proposal.","District staff told trustees the governor's amended budget left per-pupil funding essentially flat and projected enrollment declines would cut about $10 million; trustees voted to direct further analysis of the budget and the internal audit office's staffing needs.","actionData","errors"]

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Trustees ask district to review allocation process; K–3 districtwide class-size analysis ordered

Washoe County School District projects $9.7 million shortfall; trustees direct budget and audit analyses