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Board adds teaching capacity to Lion Online as district retools distance education staffing
Summary
Trustees approved one additional certified teacher for the Lion Online program and accepted a reorganization and staffing formula that bases assignments on annual average enrollment rather than peak counts.
The Lyon County School District Board of Trustees on April 22 approved an adjustment to Lion Online staffing that adds one full-time equivalent certified teacher for the 2025–26 school year and adopts a staffing formula tied to average annual enrollment.
Lion Online administrator Shannon Cross and Executive Director of Human Resources Billie Jo Hogan presented enrollment trends showing major seasonal fluctuations: higher head counts in spring, lower in the fall. Cross said current enrollment is weighted toward older students: many Lion Online participants are high-school–aged, including credit-deficient students, students in facilities, and students taking college courses. Because enrollment swings make year-round staffing unreliable, staff proposed using average enrollment over the year to determine certified staffing rather than staffing to short-term peaks. The district’s staffing summary recommended an additional 0.5–1.0 FTE depending on enrollment bands; the board approved the insertion of one certified FTE, bringing Lion Online’s certified staffing to 4.5 FTE.
Why it matters: Cross and Hogan told trustees the change is designed to provide more stable teacher loads across the school year and reduce the need to rapidly hire or reduce staff in response to short-term enrollment swings. Trustee Whistler asked about the program’s grade distribution; Cross said the program is top-heavy with upper-grade (9–12) students and that teachers hold K–12 alternate-education endorsements that allow them to serve a broad grade span.
Board action: Trustee Parr moved to approve the Lion Online distance-education staffing allocations and reorganization plan; Trustee Whistler seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Trustees noted the board could revisit a standalone Lion Online school if enrollment stabilizes above roughly 450 students consistently.
Ending note: Cross said Lion Online teachers also support students in facilities and partner programs; trustees asked staff to monitor enrollment and return to the board if sustained growth warrants a change in status or additional staffing.
