Trustees and staff discussed consolidation and other reduction options after the audit flagged deficits; topics included potential savings from consolidating under-enrolled schools, limits on dipping into state investment pools, water‑rights and property constraints at lake sites, and the risk of state intervention if the district cannot restore fiscal balance.
District transportation staff detailed route consolidation efforts, driver and aide shortages, field‑trip overtime pressures, and per‑student route costs that vary widely by distance; trustees requested route‑level cost and ridership data and counts of students per route.
Staff reviewed the district's major grants—including CTE competitive and allocation grants, Title I/II/III/IV funds, special education (IDEA Part B), McKinney‑Vento, and new digitization and Rotary grants—and explained required set‑asides, monitoring obligations and time‑limited nature of some competitive awards.
District staff presented a facility capacity review prepared for state open‑enrollment rules, showing many elementary classrooms listed as available after principals cataloged room use. NDE guidance drove methodology (portables not counted; gymnasiums often excluded). Trustees asked for grade‑level breakdowns to assess consolidation feasibility.
Trustees unanimously accepted the fiscal year audit after auditors issued a clean opinion with an 'emphasis of matter' citing 'substantial doubt' about the district's ability to continue as a going concern; auditors and staff highlighted a roughly $13 million net position deficit and an end‑of‑year general fund shortfall near $950,000.
Multiple public commenters told the board that students at Douglas High School were placed on behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) without functional behavioral assessments or parental consent and cited IDEA, Section 504 and a prior OCR/state agreement requiring written consent; they asked the board to review implementation and retrain staff.
The board reviewed a community survey (659 family, 307 staff responses) on school calendar options and directed staff to produce multiple drafts — including one that starts as late as possible but removes October and February breaks to finish before winter break — for consideration next month.
Douglas County presented a proposed five‑year interlocal agreement to continue the paid parking program at Warrior Way and reported last year’s net of $128,747 and a $49,683.05 payment to DCSD (40% share); the board approved the five‑year contract unanimously.
Trustee Catherine Dickerson announced she will resign effective Nov. 30, 2025, and the board read an apology accepting accountability for prior open‑meeting law violations and pledging training and transparency.
The board authorized Superintendent Alvarado to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Minden to transfer responsibility for a district parcel for use as a dog park, with a reversion clause; the motion passed 5–1 with Trustee Miller opposed.
