Elko County School District board rejects retirement service‑credit buyouts amid budget shortfall

The Elko County School District Board of Trustees voted on Feb. 3 not to approve employee requests to purchase retirement service credit — commonly called buyouts — this year because of the district’s current financial situation. The decision followed discussion during the meeting; the transcript records a close vote but does not provide a numeric tally.

Board members spent time during the discussion acknowledging the service and contributions of staff who applied for the buyouts, but concluded district finances do not allow approval at this time. The transcript describes the decision as made “in a close vote” and repeatedly notes appreciation for employees who submitted requests.

The buyout discussion was one of several budget-related items on the agenda. District leaders also reiterated that capital-improvement funds are restricted to capital projects and are separate from the general fund and therefore cannot be tapped to offset general-fund shortfalls. The board has scheduled a public budget workshop to precede the Feb. 17 board meeting; the workshop is agendized and intended for the public and board members to review the district’s financial picture and ask questions before any formal decisions.

Details not specified in the meeting transcript: the exact motion language, the names of the motion mover and seconder, and the vote tally. The record notes only that the board decided not to approve the purchase requests this fiscal year because of budget constraints.

Next steps: the district will hold the budget workshop and the Feb. 17 board meeting, when the budget subcommittee will present recommendations and district leadership will provide formal recommendations for addressing the general-fund situation.