Dear ECSD Families and Elko County Community,
At the December 2 board meeting, our Chief Financial Officer shared an important update about the district’s financial health. Like many districts in Nevada and across the country, we are seeing a drop in student enrollment. Because school funding is tied to how many students we serve, this directly affects our budget.
The meeting included a hypothetical example of how declining enrollment could impact our budget. This was not a proposal or a preview of any decision. It was shared to provide context—not direction. No decisions have been made.
I want to be open and honest with you. You deserve clarity, not surprises. We are addressing this early, and we will prioritize solutions that protect our students and staff.
All future decisions will be made in accordance with Nevada law and our regular negotiation process with staff organizations. A new committee will help develop recommendations. It includes staff from every job group, parents, community members, and financial experts to ensure diverse voices are heard. If you have thoughts or concerns, either the committee or the District will be providing avenues for feedback in the near future.
The committee’s first meeting is December 15. I’ll also be meeting with principals next week to answer questions on behalf of their schools.
You can expect an update from me in mid-January. Once the committee finishes its work, recommendations will come to me and then to the Board—likely in late February. Public comment is always welcome throughout this process.
I believe that with your support and our shared focus on students, we’ll move through this challenge with care and purpose.
Thank you for your care and concern for our students and schools.
Sincerely,
CJ Anderson
Superintendent