Humboldt trustees approve staffing plan with reductions, direct staff to work with Denial community

HUMBOLDT COUNTY — The Humboldt County School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously March 28 to approve a district staffing plan that trims six certified teaching positions and two administrative posts as the district grapples with declining enrollment and budget pressures.

The board approved the package after months of analysis showing steady enrollment declines and a projected fiscal squeeze. Trustees also directed district leaders to continue discussions with Denial school staff and community members to explore alternatives to closure and to form a small working group to review options, timelines and enrollment projections before any final action.

District staff presented a cohort-survival analysis and school-by-school projections showing overall enrollment near 3,153 students and annual historic losses of about 1.4–1.5 percent. The presentation said the district is carrying 32 current vacancies and has been using aides on special assignment and long-term substitutes to fill classroom needs.

The staffing changes approved include reductions of literacy specialist roles at multiple elementary sites (Grass Valley, Grama School and Sonoma Heights) and the elimination of one special-education position at Grass Valley. A literacy specialist position at French Ford Middle School and an instructional coach position were described as previously grant-funded; the district said removing those roles would not generate general-fund savings. The board also approved a recommendation to convert the Grass Valley vice-principal position to a dean (a certified position) and to freeze a district director position currently held by Colby Corbett, pending further fiscal review.

"My recommendation is give us the opportunity to work with Denial staff to talk about options and bring that back to the board," Superintendent Dr. Jensen told trustees during the Denial discussion, urging a collaborative approach with the Nevada Department of Education and the local community.

Administrators said one of the larger district savings will come from shifting counselors and social workers into the Project Aware grant rather than filling an administrator position, a change the district estimates would save roughly $300,000.

Trustees discussed criteria for monitoring very small rural schools. Paradise and Orvada were placed on watch lists; the district said it would revisit any staffing reductions at those sites if enrollments move toward agreed thresholds (district staff referenced a monitoring trigger around the mid-20s in student count for possible midyear adjustments). The district emphasized that closure is not imminent and that state statutes and district policies would guide any formal closure process.

Board members pressed staff on recruitment strategies, noting the district had limited success from past recruiting fairs and social-media campaigns. Trustees asked administrators to pursue a “grow-your-own” program with Great Basin College and to return with details on whether a modest referral stipend for community-referred hires could be agendized for board consideration.

Votes at a glance: the board voted to approve the consent agenda (warrants and minutes), approved the staffing plan described above, and later approved the incoming superintendent’s contract (separate agenda item). Each motion passed unanimously.

The district said it will continue posting biweekly vacancy updates and will meet individually with principals to review classified staffing and natural attrition before pursuing any reductions. Board members volunteered to serve on a Denial working group to meet with district staff and community members before the board considers further action.