LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Clark County School District's Board of Trustees planned to address multiple issues facing the district on Thursday after a tumultuous few weeks.
Among the items they're expected to consider is a new timeline in the search for the next superintendent of the nation's fifth-largest school district.
The firm helping with the search is asking for an extended timeline amid instability on the board. This is the first meeting since we learned the district is in a budget shortfall for the year.
FOLLOW-UP: Thursday night's board meeting began with a quick recess after one trustee argued with board president Evelyn Garcia-Morales. Ultimately, the trustees voted unanimously to extend the timeline for their superintendent search. Jhovani Carrillo has your recap here.
Channel 13 has reported on the financial deficit the district is facing— leaving schools scrambling to make new budgets after they learned they won't be getting as much money as they initially thought. The district's CFO has been terminated due to the issue.
Some parents plan to come out and voice their opinion, despite the budget issue not being on Thursday's agenda.
Channel 13's Joe Moeller caught up with Rebecca Dirks Garcia, a parent who serves on a School Organizational Team (often called SOTs). These advisory boards made up of parents, support staff and community members weigh in on critical decisions at individual schools.
Garcia said schools now have until Friday to come up with a new budget. As a result, many schools have already laid off some employees or are making other cuts, such as school supplies.
"You told me you wanted to be at the board meeting. Why is that?" Moeller asked Garcia.
Well, tonight, the budget is not on the board meeting, and I think that is a disservice to the community, as well. There was enough time being aware of this error that the board could have added it as an emergency item on the agenda, but they didn't.
Garcia told us she thinks the community is lacking clarity from the board and what actions they're taking to address the budget issue.
The CFO who was terminated blames the deficit on a tight timeline for the budget process, lengthy union negotiations that were settled late in the year, and the superintendent's departure.
He spoke with Good Morning Las Vegas anchor Justin Hinton in an effort to clear up what he called misinformation about his departure.
Looking at the district's data dashboard found online— in September, there were 5,000 fewer students enrolled than what they show for last year.
Some have questioned what role the Nevada Department of Education and Governor's Office could play in helping to address the budget chaos.
