The school district is still taking written or oral bids for the Plummer Building on East Virgnia Street.
A new funding plan enacted by the last Nevada state Legislature will not only affect special education but also Gifted and Talented Education.
“It’s unclear how we’ll fund GATE,” said Will Jensen, director of Special Services, at the last Churchill County School District meeting.
The Legislature’s change, said Jensen, took away unit funding from GATE, but a supplemental grant of $14,000 will help the program for now. Jensen said more funding could occur after the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1.
Jensen said other school districts are facing a similar problem with the new funding allocations.
One of the concerns about GATE is funding the positions of two teachers, one of which is vacant and whether GATE students should be pulled out of their regular classes.
“Teachers are frustrated when the kids are pulled out,” said Trustee Carmen Schank.
Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon asked the trustees if they wanted GATE to continue pulling out students for instruction
After a few brief remarks from the members, the board voted to keep GATE but not as a pullout program.
Trustees also heard more information on JAG Nevada. According to its website, “the multi-year program is a highly effective, data-driven model that raises graduation rates and prepares participants by honing their work readiness skills. JAG students graduate at a higher rate than their peers and are exceptionally prepared with a tool box of workplace skills that lead to success at work, in post-secondary education and/or the military.”
Additionally, the program is a private Nevada nonprofit formed at the request of the Nevada Governor’s Office to serve as the home base for the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program in Nevada.
Executive director Rene Cantu said students receive instruction in interviewing for a job, preparing resumes and writing letters. Cantu said students receive tips on arriving on time for an interview and getting to work on time.
Cantu said the focus is on 60 students, and the program helps students make up high-school credit.
“Young people learn leadership skills and learn to become part of the community,” he said.
Cantu said JAG Nevada serves in 10 counties and is adding Churchill and Douglas counties this year.
“No district personnel is involved, and there’s no cost to the school,” Sheldon said. “Students are identified by counselor and teacher referrals.”
In other business:
For the past several months, the school district has not received written or oral bids on the Plummer Building, 50 E. Virginia St.
Phyllys Dowd, director of Business Services, said because of law, the school district cannot allow a realtor to have an exclusive listing on the building; as a result, Dowd said interested buyers would met with the school district.
Dowd said the building has been appraised at $135,000 and includes a warehouse, an office, two parking spaces and one parkings space on the street.