[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6528021,"mediaKeyId","3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206","parentId",3450116,"title","Trustees adopt 2025–26 tentative and final budgets; board also approves 5‑year capital plan","audioSeconds",1993,"startMs",1797000,"endMs",3790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206&start=1797&end=3790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206/thumbnail_1797000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528021/Colorado/Trustees-adopt-202526-tentative-and-final-budgets-board-also-approves-5year-capital-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528021-253f4842b6b43d5e4cfdd82bb37e6de8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138791&Signature=XXw7xS5uoVubQOSZuK1KyNruUvueerFlXrSZm9ogBay9I91ED0bico9j6kHtnuqk5AwIT2hcxR-v5mO1ec0iMsYD4SX~Ryr6P7YsLSzwp2DknoO3X2hzc0-3BIA49fZGuusE9CPST97crjSoS6oS4kAbFChAVsaxZ0TBqt4R4SfvZiO4jMWGrDVSI~shl3I-totTykUctA4Ve7PtL5iJOzNjXdNu9iUP12bLZASbfJ3DolJa8Z5CQamoSFastLAu8yozFZwDhomMWmef4S6aptcqhvsdNRzjhr08pPen3R12Us2u9wqvA-eJeuDfiOB2~K1QIpl~-TiVUcb76gRMhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County School District","date","2025-05-22T21:01:36Z","article","The Douglas County School District board voted unanimously to approve the district’s 2025–26 tentative budget (to be filed with the state) and to adopt a five‑year capital improvement plan (CIP) that prioritizes mechanical, electrical and plumbing projects across the district.

Why it matters: The district is operating with limited new revenue and declining enrollment. Trustees and staff described a shrinking fund balance, the temporary abandonment of a 1 percent contingency, and the possibility of staffing adjustments if enrollment declines continue.

Budget discussion: Chief financial staff said the tentative budget adds one small discretionary change but otherwise keeps the district’s projections intact pending state budget action. District finance director Sue Estes said the district had “no new revenue right now” and is planning to reconcile budgets in December once state allocations and actual enrollments are finalized. She told trustees the district aims to restore a 4 percent ending fund balance (AR 603) and recommended the board direct staff to present a formal plan to reach that threshold.

Trustees and members of the public pressed officials on staffing impacts. Staff warned that sustained enrollment losses — they cited historic declines beginning in 2022–23 — mean staffing reductions could be required: \"If you lose enrollment at 250 kids a year, you have to do staffing changes,\" Estes said. Public speakers and trustees urged exploring housing and economic strategies to stabilize enrollment.

Special education and other fixed costs were highlighted as pressure points. The finance director said special education costs had increased materially and that transfers from the general fund to special education rose during the current year.

Five‑year capital improvement plan: The board approved a CIP that focuses on urgent facility needs. Scott McCullough, project manager, said the CIP fund holds roughly $2.8 million, with roughly $600,000 annually earmarked for IT and the remainder prioritized for MEP work (mechanical, electrical, plumbing). Projects include a boiler replacement phase, rooftop HVAC units at elementary schools, phased work at Carson Valley Middle School and an annual engineering/design allocation.

McCullough and staff also described a county partnership to retrofit Douglas High School’s tennis courts — converting four courts to six, adding new lighting, and creating pickleball courts and public restrooms — funded in part by the town of Minden. Trustees asked about liability and use; legal counsel said the project would be governed by an interlocal or joint‑use agreement defining insurance and hours of access.

Trustee action and next steps: Trustees voted to approve the budget filing as presented and directed the superintendent and staff to file the required documentation with the state. They also approved the five‑year CIP and asked staff to return with specific project timelines and how the district might reallocate unidentified MEP funds (a $300,000 placeholder) for urgent needs such as fencing or security repairs if directed.

Ending: The district will move into implementation and closer budget review; staff said they would return in December with reconciled figures after state allocations and final enrollment counts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting May 20 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees adopted the district’s 2025–26 tentative and final budgets and approved a five‑year capital plan that prioritizes HVAC and boiler work, while staff warned that ongoing enrollment declines and rising special‑education costs may force staffing and program adjustments.","taxTitle","Douglas County School District No. Re 1, School Districts , Colorado","taxId",12899,"location","Colorado","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},6528026,"Board approves MOU for in‑school therapy with Community Counseling Center",519,1081000,1600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206&start=1081&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","/articles/6528026/Colorado/Board-approves-MOU-for-inschool-therapy-with-Community-Counseling-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528026-275e0ed51fc0b8b05a3802ca364fb24d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138791&Signature=R0iIozI9DfgM4j7qBDlSzuYU~sylgTWAroWuLrXKt7WYqzXQewVEmsvDdi5x3Q2VCF2oNJdBsojltY10cz6~6YW~JqJX3tVSCi5mH6zyA~FO~1dYFT-6aDLc743udoUsXNay8PoPbum1aMmNzbZaAKnSqM4~JdoNVpGePUx1jiT~3A9iiNmIbxalWXphSoEntrdNc88TyZxVi-IAPEIEodq5pj6RzgcCsmw1S6skx66Aii4adC2ARTgLjhqxPkkSvQ1b9830UzzbuBCKsIZq2G7UCXv8TakKeleKfbFPSKOd~0l6tncvV3HAu6Xse0tFVXRH9onc6lBYKjTB2jcZsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County School District board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Community Counseling Center (CCC) to provide in‑school therapy services to district students.

Why it matters: The MOU aims to expand access to behavioral health care by placing licensed therapists in schools, reducing out‑of‑school appointments that remove students from class for long periods.

Jackie, a CCC representative, told trustees CCC therapists would obtain parental consent before beginning services and would coordinate discreetly with school counselors to pull students out of class. \"We'll get parent consent prior to having the first therapy appointment. And then typically, our therapist will follow up with the parents if there's any cause for concerns,\" Jackie said.

District staff explained CCC therapists are CCC employees (not district staff) and will handle billing and insurance as appropriate; the vendor currently accepts Medicaid and grant funding, the presenter said. Trustees asked about whether middle schools and high schools were included. CCC said the MOU is districtwide and staff will work with each school’s counselor on referrals, scheduling and avoiding core instruction periods.

Public comment included parents who supported the partnership. Rob Lehman read the MOU’s consent language aloud and urged the board to approve. Parent Valerie Luchman said CCC and the Heart for Youth program would help families who cannot take time off to drive children to off‑site appointments.

Trustee Nighting made the motion to approve the MOU and Trustee Miller seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: The MOU was approved; CCC therapists will begin coordination with schools and parents to implement services according to the agreement.","Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding with the Community Counseling Center to provide therapists in district schools; the MOU allows CCC clinicians to deliver in‑school therapy with parent consent and coordinates scheduling with counselors.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528030,"Douglas County trustees formally acknowledge state AG finding over curtailed public comment",868,148000,1016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206&start=148&end=1016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206/thumbnail_148000.jpg","/articles/6528030/Colorado/Douglas-County-trustees-formally-acknowledge-state-AG-finding-over-curtailed-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528030-abfb4e9b5521e439c6e8428a0dade272/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138791&Signature=Ca1v5RpaDVJZxInhEd2Fs0BZ0xY3oh0lvg-oKPpuMVOKwazaJTtUvImLMyQIKFClPdft~N2kq4G-oJ7rfL9C9jle5lvfu6XnNYxP9~mM-9DP~yMtGByM7PtcZbA8CK2znWZG67fp4-6MEnxcvkU2m~KeExOFDyDtnmMD9Plsqnj6JNoF7tLsjjoTsXN~lPZzIy7Q8ehzShgOFT59xzLdAojW80IaYHKtTfb~1ln75NhNzfTF-OQI7BtCwp4KyDkTt92NaTTLjD1-~uWcF0XIOJOoKPjGCHTR8KEdqY3ENcRlofv2DccWbJgg2oLkL6FTZupdwOf-3q4GxsZPEQl8vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County School district board of trustees voted unanimously to acknowledge findings from the Nevada Office of the Attorney General that a trustee improperly curtailed public comment at a February meeting.

The attorney general’s document (AG file number 13897-510) concluded the board’s decision to stop a speaker was not content-neutral and therefore violated the Open Meeting Law. The district’s attorney read the AG’s finding into the meeting record and the board then considered a motion to formally acknowledge the opinion.

Why it matters: The AG opinion criticizes the board’s procedure for limiting public comment and flags a viewpoint-based restriction — a legal exposure that prompted multiple public speakers to press the board for accountability and corrective steps.

Public commenters who identified themselves as Douglas County residents framed the discussion as a First Amendment and civic-access issue. Leslie Hoganson, the speaker named in the AG complaint, read portions of the six-page opinion at the meeting and said the AG concluded her remarks did not disrupt the meeting and were stopped instead because they criticized a board member. “The AG finds that the board’s interruption of Miss Hokanson both rose to the level of public comment restriction and was applied based upon the speaker’s viewpoint,” Hoganson said, reading from the written opinion.

Parent Adrian Sawyer urged trustees to consider an apology as a way to restore trust: “The AG correctly held trustee Janssen accountable for restricting Miss Hokanson’s public comment based on her viewpoint,” Sawyer said, adding the AG’s opinion noted stopping a speaker solely for criticizing an elected official is a First Amendment violation.

Other public commentators, including May Hyatt, asked the board to go beyond an acknowledgment and to hold the individual trustee to account through apology or formal censure. Trustees debated briefly in open session and then moved to the formal acknowledgement. Trustee Miller moved the board “acknowledge the findings of fact and conclusions of law as presented by the attorney,” the motion was seconded, public comment on the item was opened and closed, and the motion carried.

The action taken at this meeting was a formal acknowledgement of the AG’s findings; there was no formal censure, apology, or disciplinary action recorded during the session. Several members of the public said they expect additional follow-up from the board in later meetings.

Ending: The board’s vote formally records acceptance of the AG’s written opinion in the meeting minutes. Members of the public who urged further accountability left the meeting urging the trustees to consider additional remedies in future agendas.","The Douglas County School District board voted to acknowledge a Nevada Attorney General finding that a trustee violated the Open Meeting Law by cutting off a public commenter. Public speakers urged apology or censure; the board voted unanimously to acknowledge the AG report.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528012,"Board renews district insurance through Nevada public‑agency pool; approves two‑year workers’ comp option",1743,8082000,9825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206&start=8082&end=9825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206/thumbnail_8082000.jpg","/articles/6528012/Colorado/Board-renews-district-insurance-through-Nevada-publicagency-pool-approves-twoyear-workers-comp-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528012-a79d852e2cda18a11918eceb6d385c43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138791&Signature=UtMeWcxKKtAdvcQ-KZXUkDsWaVpawiaBpAYN7sZeh4lW8rY6RxpHPGXTf0iulsDGK~ZBkWcd8xKBsIirQ9Q~zntdpIqe3j3t2FYH2~iAlZnbMFhmKPx46VEVU4PJr5oAiWFZKBN-ef4kO24h4KeGfyRZoULYRaMXlO0MG59We~r6YBlNLsBMV3lP99gbcuCbTT35AbuZpIyNonPKUgJuXdpuyGAtguXGicDlfKPXYENUFAublARg5OkrI-mpk4N9ou1n19Z8CNqalt~GjSLitxEcs9tHYXUPnsg-3kMe5wi1JzJ~o-4xvzwiFsQ3dnCCz7kDJvTxBKzflSGq5hixNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board approved renewal of district property, liability and cyber coverage through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool and selected a two‑year option for excess workers’ compensation through Incline Casualty.

Why it matters: Insurance renewals affect the district’s risk management and long‑term fiscal exposure. Trustees considered carrier ratings, minimum premium trends and the trade‑off between short‑term savings and long‑term carrier stability.

Pool services and risk management: Wayne Carlson, executive director of the pool, outlined member services available to the district, including cybersecurity assessments, emergency operations planning, grants for risk reduction projects and a learning management system for training. The pool’s property program includes broad coverage with a $300 million per‑loss limit; cyber liability includes both first‑party and liability coverages with a $1 million liability limit.

Workers’ compensation options: The district’s existing excess workers’ comp underwriter had been consolidated into a larger carrier that indicated a significantly higher minimum premium in future renewals. Brokers presented two alternatives from Incline Casualty: a one‑year quote and a two‑year quote with modest savings. The board discussed the predictability benefit of a two‑year term and audited payroll mechanisms that reconcile premium to actual payroll. With enrollment and staffing uncertain, trustees favored rate stability.

Action and rationale: Trustees voted to remain with the Nevada public‑agency pool for property/liability and to purchase the two‑year excess workers’ comp policy from Incline Casualty, citing rate predictability and an overall favorable premium proposal. Trustees also asked staff to continue reviewing payroll and vehicle counts prior to the renewal snapshot to ensure accurate exposure reporting.

Ending: The board approved the renewals and instructed staff to continue monitoring payroll exposures and finalize binding paperwork per the broker’s recommendation.","Trustees approved renewal of property/casualty coverage through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool and selected a two‑year excess workers’ compensation option from Incline Casualty to lock rates amid a hard market.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528017,"District presents strategic‑plan update; board hears communications improvements including ParentSquare launch",1180,7733000,8913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206&start=7733&end=8913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3450116-dac63abb55ba3a67cd9f8d43a1671206/thumbnail_7733000.jpg","/articles/6528017/Colorado/District-presents-strategicplan-update-board-hears-communications-improvements-including-ParentSquare-launch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528017-13fa8cec80439912354df6df999d74dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138791&Signature=ixupL654DQnZnR1P17OglI8umKycpQ2wmKO9oo7R5B0kpnEbKcXO7oZ8sIurD~Y~DMwDsLiLtu6ioy84rEtFg6zDcH8TFsflebSCKC3JgNaSoEH9ulH2m06eUKvmj5c3xHo8GMA-nE6FlRRHA-X6vqofSGRpCJ8LRxV09gjKcUfJxq1mtzUcJ24GQ~eNcCNsESaev3x2OOL5UuIT0Kyg5wY0poDzSurA0ZmX0ot79jf4lStgLxmThin56X6bVAx~CbeGQPgee~nlNW8DVqWTvyrVpFg-FyLS3jfzHUsyabjy1WST-LuoY1H2U8DAn2q8QMsUyp0o8oQmngiV0TNU8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders presented an updated two‑year strategic plan and described operational steps to measure progress and improve family engagement.

Why it matters: The plan sets district priorities — curriculum adoption and implementation, multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS), career and technical education (CTE), staffing and operational controls — and lays out measures and processes to track progress.

Teaching and learning: Cabinet described adoption of new 6–12 English language arts materials already delivered to schools and a K–5 adoption process underway. Leslie Peters (Curriculum) said the district has classroom and digital materials and scheduled district training for implementation; a teacher‑on‑special‑assignment (TOSA) will support rollout and site‑level professional learning. MTSS training with UNR technical assistance is in progress for selected schools; some schools will move to level‑2 MTSS work next year, others will continue to build a strong tier‑1 core.

Recruitment and staffing: Jeanne Dwyer, who oversees human resources, said the district continues to recruit and develop staff and is expanding work‑based learning and CTE supports (including a planned district work‑based learning coordinator). The district reported unfilled positions historically around 4 percent at the start of years and flagged special‑education and school‑psychologist shortages as recruitment priorities.

Operations and metrics: The district committed to aligning annual budgets and program reviews with strategic priorities, developing internal controls to verify state reporting (e.g., student counts and classifications), and improving grant coordination via a new grants coordinator position.

Communications and family engagement: Communications director Haley (last name on file) presented results from a new family survey and said the district will implement ParentSquare (which replaces Remind) to improve two‑way messaging, allow event signups and translate messages automatically for non‑English speakers. Survey highlights showed families prioritize emergency alerts and school events, and many respondents asked for clearer, consolidated messaging. The communications office will pilot ParentSquare training and provide analytics to measure school‑by‑school parent engagement.

Trustees asked for measurable metrics, such as grade‑level growth measures and MTSS fidelity inventories, and suggested tying budget codes to strategic goals so the board can track spending against priorities.

Ending: Cabinet members said they will return to the board quarterly with progress updates and add measurable indicators to each goal area. ParentSquare onboarding and training are scheduled over the summer ahead of the 2025–26 school year.","Superintendent and cabinet reviewed a revised two‑year strategic plan emphasizing curriculum implementation, MTSS, CTE, staffing, operations and community engagement. The district plans to roll out ParentSquare for school communications and a family survey informed the communications priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees adopt 2025–26 tentative and final budgets; board also approves 5‑year capital plan

Board approves MOU for in‑school therapy with Community Counseling Center

Douglas County trustees formally acknowledge state AG finding over curtailed public comment

Board renews district insurance through Nevada public‑agency pool; approves two‑year workers’ comp option

District presents strategic‑plan update; board hears communications improvements including ParentSquare launch