LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert addressed concerns about $50 million in budget cuts that will impact more than 1,200 employees, with FOX5’s Joe Vigil Wednesday.
The budget shortfall stems largely from declining enrollment across the district. Employees are expected to fill vacancies in other positions rather than lose their jobs entirely.
Employee relocations and concerns
When asked about employees worried about securing positions in different locations or roles, Ebert acknowledged the challenges while framing relocations as opportunities.
“I have empathy, right? You are at a school, principal loves you, staff loves you, parents know you, it’s familiarity,” Ebert said. “But I also want people to think of it as an opportunity, that they go to get to work in another community that they may not have thought about, a different grade level.”
For employees facing longer commutes across the valley, Ebert said movement within the district is common, and staff can look for positions in their neighborhoods in the future.
FOX5 asked about early retirement incentives to possibly eliminate the need to shuffle employees. The superintendent said the School Board of Trustees would need to decide on early retirement incentives, but she doesn’t believe that’s necessary at this time since the district expects to place all employees in positions.
Extracurricular activities
In light of the budget deficit, we asked if anyone has mentioned cutting extracurricular activities.
“So we had the beginning process. We’re not through the entire process yet, so it would be too early to call. I don’t expect it,” said Ebert.
She also said 100% of elementary students will continue to have art and music as part of their curriculum. At the secondary level, principals are working through budgets to maintain programs.
“Those are some of the courses that are the reasons why our kids come to school, right? They enjoy music, they enjoy speech and debate,” Ebert said. “I want to make sure that we have an opportunity for all of our students.”
Decisions about specific programs are made at individual schools by principals and school organizational teams. Ebert said she’s heard some high schools are considering shrinking programs due to student interest, but the district gets involved to review entire schedules when that happens.
Special education hiring continues
Despite the budget cuts, CCSD continues hiring special education teachers to fill approximately 140 current vacancies. Ebert said the district is working with UNLV to expand licensing programs for educators wanting to transition into special education.
The district currently has 60 people in a cohort program, with another 60 expected this summer.
“We want to drive that to zero,” Ebert said of the special education vacancies.
Pay equity addressed
FOX5 asked about some who expressed concern about pay equity. Some staff have concerns about new staff making more than those with several years’ experience already in the district. Ebert said the district allocated $10 million this fiscal year to address pay equity issues, and another $10 million is allocated for next fiscal year.
“For counselors or math teachers. It was in many different subject areas with longevity,” said Ebert.
She also said this was part of contract negotiations with the teachers’ union and wasn’t someone making a random decision.
She says adjustments began this month after employees submitted the required paperwork.
Middle school start times
The superintendent also discussed the reason why middle school start times were moved 30 minutes earlier, while elementary and high schools will start later.
“So we have to have a three-tiered system for our buses,” said Ebert.
That is to make sure 120,000 kids aren’t transported at the same time.
“I would love to have everybody go at the same time. In fact, I challenged the staff and said, okay, how much would it cost me to have everybody start at 8 a.m.? It is over $100 million,” said Ebert.
The new school start times begin next school year on August 10, 2026.
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