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Las Vegas City Schools reviews FY27 draft budget, four-day week and steep benefits increase
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Summary
Trustees reviewed a $17.85 million draft operating budget for FY27, including a planned shift to a four-day school week that generated additional K–12+ funding, a projected bump in medical premiums and a proposed use of $197,897 in cash to balance the draft budget. Administration recommended drafting final policy language and returning for board approval before the May deadline.
The LAS VEGAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS board reviewed the district’s FY27 draft operating budget during the meeting, with administration detailing revenue, expense and program changes that would carry into the next school year.
Superintendent Sandoval and finance staff told trustees the draft operating budget totals about $17,851,790 and that the district would plan to use $197,897 in unrestricted cash to balance the budget. The presenter said the switch from a traditional five-day calendar to a four-day calendar is expected to increase K–12+ funding and provided a line-item preview of salaries, benefits and nonpersonnel costs.
Why it matters: the calendar change, benefit cost increases and staffing choices will affect program delivery and staffing costs across schools, and the board must approve a balanced budget before the state deadline.
The presenter reported notable line items: district salaries of about $9,078,464 for operating accounts, benefits estimated at $4,234,181, and an operating-year nonpersonnel budget near $3.8 million. The change to a four-day calendar produced an estimated K–12+ funding increase the presenter characterized as roughly $280,851 and noted an increase in unit value (about 3.5 percent) despite a small enrollment decline.
On benefits, staff warned of near-double-digit increases in medical premiums (presenter referenced ~9.99%) and said that, if all staff opt into the new benefit plan, the district could face a multi-million dollar increase in benefits costs. To mitigate that exposure, the district has pursued a telehealth/pre-tax benefit program (referred to in the presentation as an EHP option) intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for employees while yielding district savings. The presenter said the telehealth benefit could save the district on the order of $85,000–$100,000 and give employees lower prescription costs.
Federal and categorical funding: a staff presenter summarized federal program allocations: Title I approximately $568,893.84; Title II about $67,375; Title III near $7,762.14; Title IV about $41,149.96; and Title V/RLIS roughly $39,006.37. Proposed uses discussed included an attendance coordinator, districtwide interventionists, student engagement advisors, a district librarian, homeless set-asides and transportation support for foster students.
Capital projects and one-time funds: administration reported capital outlay and SB9 estimates (capital outlay $535,000; SB9 $1,500,000; bonds roughly $7.5 million; EdTech ~$1.1 million) and provided an update that an EnergyX pilot/solar installation is set to begin, with Honeywell on HVAC-related work. The presenter said some utility savings and rebates tied to lighting projects cannot be counted until they are realized in the fall.
Next steps: administration said the budget draft could be recommended for approval if trustees do not request changes, but noted the state submission deadline is May 13 and proposed a possible special virtual meeting to adopt the final budget prior to that date. Trustees asked for attachments and working materials earlier in the meeting cycle to review details.
The board did not adopt the final budget in this session; administration will return with amended policy language, additional backup documents and a timeline to meet the state deadline.
