School district approves site budget increases

The Churchill County School District Board of Trustees met yesterday to approve administrators’ and classified employees’ contract raises; educator negotiations will be finalized in August, said the Business Services Director.

Phyllys Dowd reported for the administrators, “we did the salary table change that was a 5.1 percent increase for the group — individuals vary — with a set experience step of $1,200 per administrator.”

Dowd said for the classified staff, “we did a COLA (cost of living allowance) of 6 percent and experience steps are 1.85 percent (already in the contract).”

The board also approved to increase site budgets from 7 to 10 percent, resulting in a net increase of $13,190. Before a unanimous passing, Trustee Tricia Strasdin summarized comments she had heard expressing concern over district spending.

Trustee Kathryn Whitaker added she wasn’t there when the big cutbacks were made, but it makes her emotional to think of the difficulty in telling people they didn’t have a job anymore.

“But we have to support the students,” she said.

Dowd and Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon reviewed the aspects, numbers and federal funding — and assured the board site increases were fiscally responsible. Sheldon added the money would be helpful in maintaining investments as well as gives principals fiscal responsibility.

Strasdin added she wants the public to support the superintendent, central office and board, and see the discussions being had and actions being made as positive.

Sheldon introduced the new permanent director of maintenance Ozwald Henke. The city of Fernley previously employed him as the deputy public works director for two years, and before that he worked for the public works department and for the meter program with the water district.

“I’m very happy,” said the Churchill County High School alumnus, adding he was last part of the Greenwave in 1996. “I look forward to working with all of you. And my door’s always open … It’s been a dream of mine to live and work in the same town, so no more commute for me,” he added smiling.

The board received training on government law ethics from Yvonne Nevarez-Goodson, executive director of the Nevada Commission on Ethics — including training on the duties to disclose and to abstain from voting when a board member has a conflict of interest requiring disclosure or abstention.

The trustees also discussed the following:

Keeping volunteer coaches on the consent agenda for the most visibility.

Amending policy 2120 to reflect “significant” instead of “any” when it comes to having the superintendent share received complaints.

The FFA Rio Vista property plan including future expeditious handling, and it was noted several other projects needed to be brought up to speed.

Confidential employee contracts, the director of maintenance contract and the director of business services revised contract.

Approved the fiscal year 2017 augmented budget.

The next meeting will be July 26 at 6 p.m. in the Old High School auditorium (“The Pit”).