Teachers and staff press board after reports of proposed pay cuts; district frames budget options as a menu for negotiation

Teachers and staff urged the Douglas County School District board on Tuesday to clarify reports that the district plans to impose a 4% pay cut on employees.

"Yesterday's record courier ran a story, and it stated a 4% salary reduction is projected to save $1,000,000 this year and $2,000,000 next year," Ashley Nelson, a district staff member and parent, told trustees during public comment. "It wasn't fun to read about it in the paper. Why was this not communicated already?" (speaker 13)

Christina Marlin, who identified herself as district staff, described a workplace climate of shock and fear after employees saw the report and said veteran teachers are reconsidering retirement. "A 4% pay cut is not just a line item on the spreadsheet. It is groceries, childcare, gas, and mortgage payments," she said. (speaker 14)

At the same meeting, Christine Ensign, a negotiator for the DCPA union, said negotiations on compensation are ongoing and that no final decisions have been made. "We have felt that it's really important on our end to honor the fact that we don't discuss negotiations outside of negotiations," she said, urging patience as bargaining continues. (speaker 15)

Superintendent Alvarado told the board he and staff have presented a detailed menu of options to the Nevada Department of Taxation and that the district is following a methodical, interest‑based negotiating process with employee groups. "We do not intend to take 10% of your compensation," he said, adding the district will use the menu to negotiate and attempt to right‑size recurring costs without precipitous cuts. (speaker 24)

Board members and finance staff said the board has identified roughly $2.5 million in funds that can be moved into capital improvement (CIP) accounts and about $888,000 in savings from previously vacated positions; those moves reduce the general‑fund deficit from an earlier projection but do not resolve longer‑term structural declines in revenue tied to enrollment. Finance director Miss Estes explained the transfers were intended to preserve ongoing operations while leveraging one‑time resources to bridge the gap. (speaker 16)

Union and staff speakers argued the district should prioritize transparency. Several asked that any changes be negotiated and communicated directly to employees rather than through media reports. Trustees acknowledged the need for greater clarity and said additional bargaining sessions with certified and classified groups are scheduled.

The board did not vote on staffing or compensation changes at the meeting; trustees said they would continue negotiations with employee representatives and provide updates as decisions are reached. The Department of Taxation told district leaders it had not yet required a formal financial watch and considered the district's corrective work and menu of options an acceptable path for now, the superintendent said.