Hot Agenda Items: 9/28 Upcoming Board Meeting
We want to help you better understand the upcoming issues the WCSD Board of Trustees will be discussing next week. Take a minute to review these agenda items so that you are prepared to submit a public comment or attend the meeting and make a public comment.
10am Board Work Session
There will be a work session starting at 10 a.m. to discuss a comprehensive overview of the facilities management and capital projects department. This includes past, present, and future new build construction projects to address overcrowding, as well as repair and infrastructure projects to address school buildings and district buildings in need of repair. This will be open to the public.
Consent Agenda Items:
(public comment cannot be made on consent agenda items)
2.03 - 2.13 They will be discussing many costly projects and spending $1,874,166. Projects include: repaving at North Valleys High School, Archie Clayton Middle, Esther Bennett Elementary, Robert Mitchell Elementary, Marvin Moss, and Kate Smith. Paving will be rehabilitated at Rollan Melton, Jerry Whitehead, Brown, Nancy Gomes, Alyce Taylor, Bernice Mathews, Desert Heights, Lemmon Valley, Robert McQueen, and Early Wooster. Soap dispensers will be replaced in 28 schools.
2.14 Board Policy 3410, system of accounts and financial oversight. Trustee Jeff Church asked the question in a policy meeting about whether the school board would be well served by outside guidance from a financial advisory board such as that used by the City of Reno. (The City of Reno has a budget half the size of the school district.) Mr. Mather, the CFO, pointed out that the City had multiple sources of income with taxes and fees and the school district does not, and that the school district is a single purpose agency. The board agreed to revisit this item after thinking about it individually.
2.16 Board Policy 4300, which involves enhanced compensatory pay for performance. Several pay for performance programs have become unfunded mandates or lost funding. The question was never really answered whether or not the school district has continued these programs or stopped them. The state has legislated certain things for at-risk schools and the district pays more to keep teachers at these schools. Dr. Nicolet brought up the subject of equity. She wanted to know if there was equity of pay for good teachers no matter where they work in the district, and is it based on performance. She also made the point that teachers should be paid more no matter where they teach.
2.17 Board Policy 4400 regarding Equal Opportunity in Employment. The recommendation by staff was to simplify language and make law conforming changes. Part of this policy addressed sexual orientation….heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality. Trustee Smith felt very strongly that this should be expanded to include pansexuality and asexuality. The attorney present stated that the current law does not provide for that. The language is in keeping with current laws in Nevada and the U.S. Loads of discussion was had on this topic, mostly relating to the law and how this could open the district up to legal issues. Finally, Trustee Nicolet spoke up and stated that the entirety of the statement regarding sexuality should be stricken from the policy, so as not to offend anyone and still stay within the legal guard rails.
Public Comment Agenda Items:
3.01 - The board would like to issue up to $3,400,000 of medium-term obligations for acquiring school buses and other support vehicles.
3.02 Presentation of academic offering of RISE Academy for adult achievement (online GED offerings).
3.03 - Discussion and possible action on facility resources and enrollment demands in SE Reno with review of options to relieve possible future overcrowding with possible new elementary school in the Rio Wrangler area.
3.04 - Adopt process to fill Jacqueline Calvert vacancy in District F. This will not be heard until after 4 p.m. Click here to learn why Jacqueline Calvert resigned.
3.05 - Censure of Jeff Church for potential violations of board policy. This will not be heard until after 4 p.m. Here is a news article with more information on this issue.
3.06 This is the standing agenda item to review the District’s Covid-19 mitigation measures (i.e. mask mandates, vaccinations, testing...etc.)
5.01 General Public Comment (this section is open for any and all comments on any subject related to WCSD. You have three minutes and must submit a comment card at the reception area before being allowed to speak). You can also submit an email public comment.