LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Students, teachers and parents spoke to the Clark County School District Board of Trustees Thursday night, urging officials to reconsider plans to eliminate 1,200 positions at the end of the school year.
The district sent a letter to CCSD staff this week informing them of the cuts, which will affect hundreds of schools. District officials said the eliminations are necessary because fewer students are enrolled than anticipated, and costs have risen.
Five students were the first to address the board. Sydney Scott, an eighth-grader at Bob Miller Middle School, expressed concern over the elimination of social worker Karen Davis, who also serves as advisor of the Black Student Union.
“In a district where there are already limited resources, losing her would take away one of the few spaces where they truly belong,” Scott said. “Even if someone were willing, they could never replicate the years of commitment invested in our school community.”
Students describe impact of educators
Braxton Selvie, also a Bob Miller Middle School student, said Davis has made a significant difference in his life.
“Mrs. Davis has had a huge impact on my life. She has given me multiple life skills like discipline, communication, belief, and confidence,” Selvie said. “In 6th grade, I had very low confidence, and she was a safe space where I could express myself.”
Parent Cassandra Cussino echoed the students’ concerns about removing social workers from middle schools.
“She changed my life, she changed my daughter’s life. She changed our community,” Cussino said. “I ask this school board to really think about what you are doing when you are taking social workers out of middle schools.”
Educators suggest alternative cuts
Dr. Tiffanie Bemoll suggested the district examine administrative staffing structures instead of classroom positions.
“When we examine staffing structures, we should ask thoughtful questions,” Dr. Bemoll said. “Schools with bigger populations operated with fewer administrators than many campuses have today. Mine was 3,200 students, we had 4 admins.”
Jeremy Heckler, president of the Nevada Education Association of Southern Nevada, criticized spending priorities.
“If we want to be a destination district that cares about education, cuts should not be made to classrooms,” Heckler said. “Instead of focusing on minutia, they should ask why money is being spent on branding and marketing $10 million dollar to change school start time when there is a $50 million budget shortfall.”
Those who spoke Thursday night said they hope the elimination plan can still be changed.
As FOX5 previously reported, the district said it plans to help teachers and other told their positions being eliminated find new ones:
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