Washoe School Board narrows $6.5M budget gap; pauses proposed police staffing cuts

Trustees approved most staff recommendations to reduce the Washoe County School District’s projected fiscal year 2025–26 deficit, but paused a proposal to delete four vacant school police officer positions.

The board voted 5–2 on May 13 to adopt organizational changes and budget reductions proposed by district staff that would cut the tentatively identified $6.5 million shortfall to about $3.7 million. The package approved by the board included reorganizations in Finance, Information Technology and Communications, a shift of Education Alliance staff funding from the general fund to the Education Alliance Fund, reductions to non-school travel and training, lowering electric and natural gas budgets, and two new groundskeeper positions to take over fields formerly maintained by the City of Sparks. Trustees omitted immediate cuts to school police staffing, instead pausing that item for further discussion.

Why it matters: The district relies on state funding for nearly all its general fund revenue. A weaker state revenue forecast in May had increased the district’s potential gap toward as much as $19.3 million if lawmakers did not act; subsequent state committee action cut some of that exposure and left Washoe with the smaller—but still significant—deficit the board addressed May 13. The board must finalize a budget by early June and has limited time to weigh additional changes.

What staff proposed and what the board approved - Organizational assessments: Staff presented reorganizations for Business & Financial Services, Information Technology and Communications and Public Relations intended to align work, fill vacant roles selectively, reclassify positions under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules and improve succession planning. Trustees approved those changes. - Education Alliance staffing: Staff recommended moving 2.5 positions from the general fund to the Education Alliance Fund (paid from fund balance and future fundraising) to save $353,000 in ongoing general-fund costs. Trustees approved the move. - Travel and training: Central-office travel and training budgets were proposed to be cut about 50% (some teacher- and curriculum-specific training lines were preserved), a projected $329,000 saving; trustees approved the reduction. - Utilities: Staff recommended lowering electricity and natural gas budget assumptions by $2.0 million based on recent flattening of rates; trustees approved that reduction. - Field maintenance: Because the City of Sparks plans to stop maintaining some joint-use fields, staff proposed two groundskeeper positions (about $124,000 annually) and a one-time equipment purchase of $200,000 (to come from FY25 general fund contingency). Trustees approved those positions and the one-time purchase funding plan.

Items paused or deferred - School police staffing: Chief Tracy Moore had proposed deleting four vacant school police officer FTEs (and one vacant motor position) as part of reallocating resources. Deleting those positions was estimated to reduce expenses roughly $400,000. After extended discussion about response times, geographic coverage, campus supervisors and safety priorities, the board paused action on the police staffing reductions and did not adopt those cuts. Trustees specifically retained discretion to revisit this item at the next workshop.

Numbers and impact - Original tentative deficit (per the governor’s recommended budget): roughly $9.7 million. - Staff adjustments presented May 13 would reduce the May tentative deficit from $6.5 million to approximately $3.7 million if adopted in full. - Key line-item amounts cited in staff materials: Education Alliance shift $353,000 ongoing; 50% reduction in many central-office travel/training ($329,000); utilities reduction $2,000,000; two groundskeepers $124,000 annually plus $200,000 one-time equipment cost.

State and federal context District fiscal staff emphasized the district’s dependence on state revenue (nearly all general fund revenues come from Carson City). The Nevada Economic Forum reduced its state revenue forecast in May, and the state’s interim finance committees recommended steps to limit the impact on K–12 funding; those actions reduced the immediate worst‑case scenario for districts but did not eliminate uncertainty. On the federal side, shifting grant rules and potential consolidation of titles could affect future federal program funding; district staff reported monitoring Title I and other federal programs closely because many staff positions are federally funded.

Board action Motion: Trustee Killeen Westlake moved that the board approve staff recommendations in the organizational assessments for Business & Financial Services, Information Technology and Communications and Public Relations; shift Education Alliance funding; reduce central-office travel/training; reduce electric and gas utilities budgets; and add two groundskeepers for fields formerly maintained by the City of Sparks. The motion explicitly paused action on school police staffing changes. Mover/Second: Motion seconded by Vice President Hannah Mayberry. Outcome: Motion carried 5–2.

What’s next Staff told trustees they would return with additional options at subsequent May and June budget meetings and that the district would not make final year-to-year staffing changes until the state budget and any relevant legislation were finalized. Trustees and staff emphasized the goal of minimizing direct impacts to classroom positions but acknowledged more reductions or adjustments could be required if state or federal funding changes.

Speakers and sources CFO Mark Mathers, Budget Director Jeff Bozzo, Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Owen, School Police Chief Tracy Moore, President Beth Smith, Vice President Hannah Mayberry and multiple trustees took part in discussion and questions. District materials and staff slides supplied the numerical estimates noted above.

Ending Trustees described the vote as a step toward a balanced final budget while preserving time to consider public feedback on the most sensitive staffing choices. The district will return to deliberations at the May 27 and June meetings as state and federal developments become clearer.