Carson City School Board to discuss new sustainability policy, committee member selections and more
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Tue, 10/25/2022 - 10:35am
Event Date:
October 25, 2022 - 7:00pm
The next Carson City School District School Board meeting will take place tonight, Tuesday Oct. 25 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Robert ‘Bob’ Crowell Board Room within the Carson City Community Center.
Items up for discussion at the school board include group health care insurance, Family Life Committee member selections, changes to regulations and more.
— The board will discuss the newly proposed Regulation 830 pertaining to conservation and sustainability.
According to the draft policy, this regulation “reflects the goals of the District’s Strategic Plan and aligns with the governing documents of the District and established board policies, resolutions, and protocols. All District schools and facilities shall implement a waste reduction, reuse, recycle, energy and water conservation plan, (and) a site sustainability plan.”
These goals include purchases buses that do not rely on diesel, creating idle free zones outside schools, being mindful of scheduling outdoor activities during wildfire season, among others.
The policy also discusses energy efficiency and renewable energy: “The District has retrofitted, commissioned, and will continue to operate energy efficient learning and working spaces. The District will incorporate energy efficiency measures in all major renovations and new construction with a goal of lowering energy use and reducing the District’s carbon footprint.”
Students may be introduced to curriculum relating to sustainability and environmental health, and will be able to learn about environmentally friendly actions and sustainable practices through community partnerships and district resources.
The district will use “green” environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products whenever possible to reduce the risk of possible exposures to students, staff and visitors to potentially hazardous chemicals.
The district will continue to practice recycling and waste reduction, as well as purchasing recycled or partially recycled when they can be substituted at a comparable cost.
To ensure water quality, schools will complete water tests every five years, and at least two filtered water bottle filler stations will be accessible on each district campus.
The district will identify healthy and safe routes to schools for students who choose to walk or ride bikes to school, and utilize locally sourced and whole foods whenever possible.
The district will promote and support school gardens and the planting of trees to connect students and staff with nature, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices — as well as help to shrink heat islands throughout the region.
These items and more can be read on the full policy here.
— Regulation 805 pertaining to Emergency Operations has undergone a textual update to remove redundancies and include language for smoke day cancellations.
— The board will approve the selection of a new member to the Family Life Committee Member to serve a three year term through October 2025 as a parent representative.
The current term for parent representative, Stephanie Cook will be fulfilled in November. There is one new applicant, Christine Sylvester, and Cook has asked to be considered to renew her membership. Both applicants are asked to attend the Board Meeting for an introduction and interview.
— A discussion and possible action will be held on Approval of Recommendations of the Benefits Committee regarding Group Health Care Insurance Plan Design and Renewal of Coverage for Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023. Approval of any insurance coverage may have a fiscal impact up to the amount contained in the budget approved by the board.
Valerie Clark, President of Clark & Associates, will present the annual health insurance renewal. Last year, at this time, the Carson City School District renewal with Prominence Health Plan included a rate cap of 9 percent for plan year 2023. Ultimately, Clark and Associates was able to negotiate the final increase for the district down to 7.2 percent, for plan year 2023.
The dental insurance plan with Kansas City Life is renewing with a 6 percent rate increase. The life insurance plan with Kansas City Life is renewing with no rate increase. The vision insurance plan with Eye Med is currently in a three year guarantee, and renewing with no rate change. Ms. Clark will provide the health insurance information along with the plan offerings. The Benefits Committee, along with all three bargaining groups recommends Board approval of the 2023 insurance renewal plan.
Activities and Events
- October 25 – 27, 2022, Minimum Days for Elementary Parent Conferences; students dismiss at 12:40 p.m.
- No School on Friday, October 28, 2022; Nevada Day Holiday
- Daylight Savings Time Ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022; set clocks back 1 hour
- No School on Friday, November 11, 2022; Veteran’s Day Holiday
- CCSD Employee Health Benefits online Open Enrollment begins November 1 – 16, 2022; additional information will be forthcoming
You can read the agenda in its entirety here: https://www.carsoncityschools.com/school_board/meeting_agendas
