Carson City School Board passes resolution

Faced with options such as seeking an outside loan to continue school operations, members of the Carson City School Board implored legislators Tuesday to pass a budget.

"We don't want to get into the battle, we're not choosing sides," said board president John McKenna. "We just want to make it clear that this impasse is causing real fiscal and emotional problems among the Carson City School District."

At the meeting, financial director Bob Anderson warned trustees that money may soon run short.

He said the district should be comfortable meeting its financial obligations until the middle of August. If no budget is determined by then, officials may need to research alternate avenues.

He said the district may borrow about $450,000 from its own operations budget to cover costs of the general budget -- enough to cover about one payroll.

The other option would be to seek an outside loan.

"We probably ought to plan for the worse," he said.

Even if the budget does pass soon, Anderson said he fears the money may be slow in coming.

He said years ago, the distributive school account funds were sent at the beginning of each quarter. Now, they come at the end of each month. He suggested the lag time may increase as lawmakers labor to put together a new tax plan.

McKenna was reluctant to agree to the idea of taking out a loan to cover costs of one quarter to pay back with the state-fund allotment.

"Anything we'd have to pay in interest would come out of the classroom," he said.

If it comes to that, trustees expect state leaders to help foot the bill.

Part of the resolution imploring legislators to decide a budget also called on lawmakers to "consider reimbursing the Carson City School District with any costs incurred by it as a result of not receiving the DSA and class-size reduction funds in a timely matter."

Randy Robison, executive director of the Nevada Association of School Boards, spoke to trustees during the meeting.

"Like you and other school boards, we're disappointed at the impasse in which we find ourselves entangled," he said. "The inability of the Legislature to reach a decision is having a real and significant impact on school districts across the state which will, in the end, have an impact on the students we serve."

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, also addressed members of the Douglas County School Board on Tuesday, urging them to support the Senate's tax plan.

Richard Stokes, Carson City's associate superintendent, said many positions have not yet been filled, pending a budget.

However, he remained optimistic necessary staff would be hired in time to begin school Aug. 26.

"There will need to be a flurry of hiring as soon as we learn the outcome of the Legislature," he said. "I believe the principals are fully geared up and have the willpower to put in as much time as necessary. Our folks are committed to doing all they can do to have a full staff."