LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Clark County School District is cutting $51 million from its budget, leaving surplus teachers and their families facing uncertainty as educators prepare to pack up their classrooms.
Lower student enrollment is driving the reduction.
According to the district, state funding is tied directly to student count, and enrollment has dropped by approximately 10,000 students compared to last year.
READ MORE: CCSD faces $51.6M fall budget cut amid steep enrollment drop
That decline has led to a $100 million drop in state revenue. District officials pointed to declining birth rates and increased charter school options as potential factors.
The funding shortfall has directly affected staffing. Last spring, CCSD reported more than 600 surplus teachers. The district has not yet confirmed the total number of surplus teachers this fall.
For impacted educators, the changes carry a personal toll. Travis Ryness, a former CCSD teacher whose wife currently teaches third grade, said she was reassigned last school year and must move again this fall.
“It’s not easy. It’s not easy for people to just switch schools and switch communities in a school and drive — there’s a whole lot that goes on to that,” Ryness said. “You already spent weeks during the summer getting your classroom ready, planning, working with students, meeting families, and then you go to start all over again.”
Ryness said his wife expects to say goodbye to her students and pack up her classroom within the next two weeks. She requested not to appear on camera out of concern about potential district retaliation.
An internal memo sent to surplus teachers indicates educators will meet with district leaders next month.
Following the meeting, teachers will have a few days to determine placement eligibility at a new school, pack their classrooms, and begin teaching.
FOX5 requested updated budget numbers from CCSD after principals submitted revised school budgets last week. The district stated it is reviewing the request.
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