Carson City trustees authorize superintendent to issue layoff notices amid tentative $3M budget shortfall

Carson City — The Carson City School District Board of Trustees on April 14 voted to authorize Superintendent AJ Fueling to issue layoff notices if the district cannot close a projected shortfall in its tentative fiscal 2026–27 budget.

The motion — moved by Trustee Varner and seconded by Trustee Roberts — gives the district authority to begin notifying staff in categories that include social workers, intervention paraprofessionals, certain special‑assignment teachers (TOSAs), administrative assistants and other classified and certified positions. The board approved the motion unanimously except for a single recorded opposing vote from Trustee Ramirez.

Fueling told the board staff reduced the draft shortfall from earlier estimates and had brought the tentative structural deficit down to roughly $3.02 million. He said that figure reflects a mix of adjustments including trimming special‑education contractor commitments, deferring a planned bus purchase after the district learned it is in line for a grant for electric buses, and revising the transfer required to balance the nutrition fund (now estimated near $600,000).

At a packed public‑comment period before the vote, parents, school staff and community advocates urged the board to avoid cuts to positions they said are essential for student access, safety and mental‑health response. Brian Wallace, president of the local OCA parent association, urged trustees to "hold off on these reductions proposed within the tentative budget" and to take a legislative approach rather than immediate staff reductions.

Several classroom and special‑needs parents recounted what they said would be immediate harm from losing paraprofessionals and in‑school social workers. "My son relies on a paraprofessional every single day. Without that one‑on‑one support, he cannot communicate his needs," said parent Kaylee Young. Contracted social worker April Pekco warned trustees of the time‑intensive nature of crisis assessments: "Each of these calls can take between one to three hours depending on student engagement," she said, noting school social workers’ role in creating safety plans and managing hospital transitions.

District staff told trustees they had tried to minimize cuts to student‑facing roles, and that earlier proposals to eliminate a larger number of social‑worker positions had been partially reversed; six of the social‑worker positions that had been proposed for removal were added back into the tentative budget. Fueling and finance staff emphasized the tentative numbers remain subject to change as the district finalizes audits, staffing changes and pending state guidance; the district must file a tentative budget with the Department of Taxation and publish a public budget‑hearing notice for the May 28 hearing.

Trustees asked staff for more precise, school‑level cost breakdowns and full vendor/contract lists before the final budget is adopted. Several trustees also urged the district to pursue alternative savings (contract renegotiations, program fee adjustments, and expanded Medicaid billing where lawful) before implementing permanent staffing reductions. "We need to be thoughtful," Trustee Roberts said during deliberations, "and prioritize student‑facing positions where possible."

The board’s authorization permits the superintendent and HR staff to begin the legally required personnel notification process necessary to meet statutory timelines, but Fueling told trustees the district would continue exploring alternatives and could reverse notices if additional savings or revenue were found before final actions were required.

Outcome and next steps: the board approved the authorization (motion by Trustee Varner; seconded by Trustee Roberts) with Trustee Ramirez recorded as the sole opposing vote. Trustees directed staff to provide: (1) a school‑by‑school cost‑per‑pupil breakdown, (2) a detailed vendor/contract list with recommended reductions, and (3) clarification of projected FY26 ending fund balances once year‑end purchasing is final. The district will finalize the budget after the May public hearing and the June filings, and staff said December will be available to amend the budget based on audited results.

Action record: Motion to authorize superintendent to issue reduction‑in‑force notices moved by Trustee Varner; seconded by Trustee Roberts; outcome approved with a 6–1 vote (Trustee Ramirez opposed).