CCSD Board of School Trustees June 13 Meeting Recap

Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara provided an update to the Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of School Trustees on the recent decision to eliminate middle and high school dean positions, along with more central office positions.

Dr. Jara stressed to Trustees he hopes to retain the approximately 170 deans by repositioning them into the classroom, helping to alleviate the teacher shortage. Deans will have the opportunity to be placed in an open administrative or teaching positions.

The reduction is needed because CCSD is receiving approximately $154 million of the needed $166 million additional dollars needed for the 2019-20 school year.

CCSD is receiving about $90 million dollars of the approximately $111 million additional dollars needed in 2020-21 school year.

While CCSD appreciates the additional funding, it was not enough to cover the proposed raises as well as the increased operational costs CCSD sustained.

After cutting more than $120 million over the past few years, CCSD is operating on very reduced staffing levels across the district. However, a report from the Council of the Great City Schools report found that, when compared to other large urban districts, especially those that outperform CCSD, our school-based administrator costs are higher than many of our peers.

Schools will be receiving additional funds for school safety and for unfilled positions in the coming school year. The intent is that these funds will allow each principal the opportunity to handle safety in a way that best works for their school community,
including creating Teacher on Special Assignments positions to meet their needs.

Here are other district initiatives regarding safety:

• CCSD is working with the state Department of Education on utilizing the statewide safety funding to add licensed behavior interventionists on campuses
• CCSD Police will ensure there are two full-time police officers at each comprehensive high school campus
• CCSD has identified funding for four more K-9 officers next school year to search for weapons
• Last year, CCSD implemented a random search policy and will expand it next year
• CCSD staff will bring to the board next school year other options for students who need additional support, such as smaller environments

Board Agenda Item 5.01 – New Chief Human Resources Officer

Trustees approved the hiring of Nadine Jones as CCSD’s new Chief Human Resources Officer.

Jones currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for MGM Grand Las Vegas. She previously worked as a Human Resources Director. Jones also held the position of Human Resources Director for The Signature at MGM Grand and Marriott International.

Jones will start the new position July 1, 2019. This is a replacement position and will have no impact on the budget.

The district’s five-year strategic plan, Focus: 2024, sets the goal of having 100 percent of classrooms served by a licensed teacher by 2024. It also calls for implementing a targeted recruitment plan focused on licensed employees who would benefit from the district compensation package and cost of living. Finally, it outlines a plan to recruit more teachers through Spanish, Latino, and African American student associations, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

To view the documents related to this item, click here.

Board Agenda Item 3.37 – Class-Size Reduction Plan

A report was presented to Trustees to be submitted to the Nevada Department of Education regarding CCSD’s class size reduction plan for the 2019-20 school year.

CCSD will use state funds allocated to the district for class-size reduction to support the required pupil-teacher ratios in kindergarten and grades 1 through 3. It is known as the Regular Class-Size Reduction program.

To view the documents related to this item, click here.