LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – We’re learning more about the impact of budget issues in the Clark County School District after a top-ranking official was fired last week.
The President of the State Board of Education, Felicia Ortiz says not only was the messaging poorly worded and poorly timed, she says it’s unfortunate the news is coming in the middle of the search for a new superintendent. Because of that, she thinks it could be tough for a quality candidate to want to start a new chapter with CCSD.
“That’s going to be a deterrent, for sure,” Ortiz said. “It makes our job harder to find someone. Giving them extra work and burden is probably not the best idea.”
Ortiz says while the Clark County School District’s potential budget blunder isn’t ideal, it gives Nevada Department of Education leaders an idea of what to look for in the next superintendent.
“We need someone that’s going to handle a situation like this in a very strategic and thoughtful way,” Ortiz said.
The opposite of what came to mind when Ortiz learned of the news.
“Putting an email out on a Friday afternoon and putting people into a tizzy, not the most strategic move ever.”
The message Ortiz is talking about involves the interim superintendent addressing a “potential central budget deficit” being identified, but assuring “as a team, we will make every attempt to absorb any confirmed deficit centrally with minimal impact to students and staff.”
CCSD parent, Stephanie Valdez says she’s already heard positions and programs are on the chopping block.
“It seems pretty messed up that this was a central office district mistake, but the people who are paying the price the most are teachers and students who are the most vital part of education.”
The district’s largest teachers union, the Clark County Education Association says the apparent budget shortfall is because CCSD did not factor in the second year of pay raises for teachers, to the tune of $5,700 per teacher.
Since the money has to come from somewhere, FOX5 asked CCSD directly if student programs would be cut or if teachers would be fired.
District officials did not answer those questions.
Ortiz says the news is putting some teachers on edge, but the vacancies in the district act as a silver lining.
“It’s causing unnecessary noise, right? I don’t think any of them are super worried,” Ortiz said. “We have such a shortage of resources right now, we can’t afford to lose anyone.”
Ortiz says teachers shouldn’t worry about getting fired, and that they are going to figure out CCSD’s budget as a state.
Instead, other programs, services and expenses the district forecasted will be modified.
Plus, a majority of after-school programs for students are federally funded, and can’t be cut.
When it comes to the potential budget deficit, Governor Joe Lombardo is looking into the district’s budget to help determine the corrective next steps.
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