Elko County School District pauses some student activities as leaders outline deeper budget cuts
Summary
Superintendent Anderson warned of sustained financial pressure and the district paused middle‑school intramurals while the board weighs larger staffing and consolidation options; trustees and public contributors stressed transparency and the limits of capital versus operating funds.
The Elko County School District on Jan. 20 told the public it is confronting immediate budget pressures that will require painful tradeoffs, pausing middle‑school intramurals and preparing for potential school consolidations as leaders seek longer‑term solutions.
Superintendent Anderson said the district is managing “a very complicated financial challenge” and described an immediate operational step — halting middle‑school intramural sports for the remainder of the school year — as necessary to preserve essential instructional services. He told the board the district has been trimming costs for three years and that remaining options will affect students and staff directly. Anderson urged public engagement and legislative advocacy, noting that changes in state funding formulas and unfunded mandates have compounded the district’s gap.
Board members and staff repeatedly distinguished capital funding from operating funds during debate: capital improvement dollars (used for buildings and equipment) cannot be redirected to pay for personnel or day‑to‑day operating needs. Trustees warned that accepting some capital projects does not protect jobs; conversely, rejecting capital projects to conserve operating dollars would not be straightforward because the funds and approvals are separate.
Public comments at the meeting underscored the human consequences of staffing decisions. Two long‑term substitute teachers, who are pursuing licensure through UNLV’s apprenticeship program, asked the board to consider positions that allow them to complete required student‑teaching placements. Jennifer Allsup said losing their substitute placements would jeopardize her program compliance and create a financial burden; Tessie Wilcox Madigan described long‑term substitutes as “lifelines” for vulnerable students and urged the board to pause cuts.
Trustees called for continued public involvement and direct contact with state legislators, citing the district’s need for additional state funding. Several trustees noted their work with the Nevada Association of School Boards and encouraged constituents to press for changes to the state funding formula and for relief from unfunded mandates.
The superintendent said winter MAP testing and other instructional investments (including programs like Lexia and the district’s math pacing work) will be reviewed to determine which initiatives to prioritize. No additional personnel actions were finalized at the meeting; the board said further decisions will follow committee recommendations and additional budget work.
The board adjourned after a roughly three‑hour session that included budget conversation alongside routine business and presentations.
