Elko County School District approves search-and-investigation policy; board weighs funding-letter to legislators

Superintendent Anderson said the Elko County School District board met April 21 in Jackpot and approved policy JCBC, which governs investigations and searches involving law enforcement, and discussed several other policy and program items.

Anderson opened by introducing student board member Nicholas Webber, a junior at Jackpot Combined School and the incoming student body president. "He brought a wealth of knowledge and confidence and advocacy for his peers both at Jackpot and throughout the whole district," Anderson said.

The board recognized STARS recipients from Jackpot, including custodians Roberto Cervantes and Jesus and Maria Solis; Anderson said the Solises plan to retire at the end of the school year. He also acknowledged Jackpot teacher Zach Hunter for receiving the Nevada Cattlemen's Association 2025 Teacher of the Year Award.

The Jackpot Combined School Art Department presented a demonstration of a non-kiln "fire pit" pottery technique the teacher learned in Mexico. Anderson said student board member Nicholas Webber also presented cross-curricular math charts showing how students used linear regressions to chart temperatures over time, calling the collaboration "a great project that put real application to the learning."

On district business, Anderson said the board reviewed a budget transfer report and approved policy JCBC, which had been given a first read at an earlier meeting. The transcript records that "that policy was approved at the meeting," but does not include a roll-call vote tally or mover/second details.

Two additional policies were presented as first reads. Policy IDFB covers curriculum design and interscholastic athletics eligibility and included discussion of possible pay-to-participate structures tied to budget adjustments; policy IHFA concerns academic achievement and credit recovery course requirements. Anderson said both items were expected to return at later meetings for edits and feedback.

District staff also presented on instruction and technology. Candace Turner Hugh, director of elementary education, reviewed district use of the Lexia learning platform (Core5 and PowerUp) across elementary schools; Anderson said usage data and early outcomes looked positive and that final MAP and SBAC results will provide fuller measures. R.J. Santos, the district IT director, gave an overview of the Chromebook plan for the coming year and updates to e-rate projects intended to improve fiber, switches and software so all schools have adequate internet access.

Anderson reported on the district strategic plan, noting the plan identified 41 tasks to carry through the 2025–26 school year and that the vast majority of those actions were completed, in progress or going well, with a few remaining items. The board briefly discussed the superintendent's evaluation; Anderson said the board debated timeliness and that more work on the evaluation will occur over the summer and into the next school year.

Finally, the board considered approving a letter to current legislators and legislative candidates about the people-centered funding plan and adopting commission recommendations ahead of next year's legislative session. Anderson said the trustees wanted district concerns and "the kind of pain points of the people-centered funding plan" communicated to legislators and candidates. The transcript does not record a final vote or the exact outcome on the letter.

The meeting recap closed with Anderson pointing listeners to links in the newsletter for additional information and noting the board will provide another update after its next meeting.