The Carson City School District Board of Trustees met Tuesday to discuss a number of topics including special education (SPED) funding, civics test results, the adoption of a new K-5 literacy curriculum, and updated electronic device policies. The meeting also included updates on the C-Hill flag restoration project and the selection of an essay contest theme.
Watch here, or see the summary below:
Special Education funding and services
A portion of the board workshop focused on Special Education funding, which has a budgeted amount of $15.2 million for the current fiscal year. Of this, $5.4 million is state-funded, and $9.1 million is transferred from the General Education fund.
An additional $700,000 comes from the previous year’s fund balance, which includes funds for SPED transportation vehicles budgeted last fiscal year but delayed due to supply chain issues.
The majority of the budget ($12.5 million) covers salary and benefit costs for approximately 147 employees including certified teachers, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff.
An additional $2.2 million is allocated for professional services provided by contractors which include assessments, behavioral therapy, occupational and physical therapy, psychological services, speech therapy, translating, and vision services.
Trustees discussed which services are legally mandated versus those determined by Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams.
Dr. Christy Lennox, director of student support services, said IEP teams determine necessary services through data-driven decisions. It was noted that federal funding for SPED has not met its 40% goal, leading districts to rely on general fund transfers.
The state’s SPED funding for the current year remained consistent with the previous year, though it does not represent “full funding” given the general fund reliance. A workshop on the IEP process was suggested to provide further information on budget considerations.
Civics Test Results for Class of 2025
Linda Fields and Dan Karsten presented the Civics Test Results for the Class of 2025, which is a state-mandated graduation requirement.
The test contains 50 questions identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test and requires a 60% passing score. It constitutes 10% of their overall grade for government.
The district reported an overall participation rate of 99.6% (529 out of 531 students) with a pass rate of 97.4% (515 out of 529 students).
Updated procedures require online and Jumpstart students to take the test in person for consistency. The state also requires the district to report aggregated results to the Nevada Department of Education by December 31st each year.
The board approved the test procedures and security plan for the 2025-2026 school year.
Amplify CKLA Adopted for K-5 Literacy
Pam Copperthwaite and Brandon Brinkhurst provided information on the adoption of Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) as the new K-5 reading curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year.
The curriculum was secured under a seven-year contract at a cost of $1.19 million and claims to align with the “science of reading which utilizes a “structured, explicit, systematic, cumulative, and knowledge-building approach.”
The curriculum focuses on word recognition and language comprehension, and incorporates daily writing and assessments of the “five pillars” of literacy.
The district is also piloting an aligned intervention program, and teachers are undergoing professional development for the new curriculum.
For older students, middle and high schools are implementing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) processes with built-in intervention periods to address reading deficiencies.
The curriculum was adopted prior to this year and teacher professional training is already underway.
Proposed Changes to Electronic Device Usage Policy
Brandon Brinkhurst presented proposed revisions to CCSD Policy 546 on Electronic Device Usage, citing state legislation and input from school admin.
Changes include prohibiting audio/video capture in student clinics and health offices, clarifying the use of tools such as “yonder pouches” in secondary schools to reduce cell phone usage, and prohibiting recording or sharing personally identifiable information.
Consequences for violations will be progressive, aligning with existing board policy, with administrators maintaining discretion for various offenses.
Exceptions are made for emergencies, authorized instructional use, or as specified in a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
Great American Essay Contest
The board discussed and approved a topic for the 2025-2026 Great American Essay Contest, open to all Carson City 5th, 8th, and 12th graders.
The chosen topic is: “The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence calls on us to celebrate our patriotic symbols while renewing our commitment to freedom, equality, and justice for all. What symbols of freedom, culturally and historically, are most important to you and why?”.
Essays are due by October 15th.
Other items:
C-Hill Flag Restoration: Lucia Maloney and Katie Lara presented on the project to rehabilitate the C-Hill flag which was installed following September 11, 2001. A decommissioning ceremony is scheduled for October 4th, with JROTC invited to participate. The estimated cost for rehabilitation ranges from $40,000 to $75,000.
Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Andrew Feuling provided an update on the start of the school year, acknowledging custodial and grounds staff. Enrollment numbers are slightly down, but there is an expectation they will increase in the next few weeks.
