The Humboldt County School District (HCSD) Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting on Sept. 13 with HCSD Trustee, Lori Woodland, absent, at which:
• Lonnie Hammergren was appointed to Seat F on the Humboldt County School District Board of Trustees, which recently became vacant after Christopher Entwhistle accepted a position coaching soccer at Lowry High School. Hammergren was also elected to fill the position during the Primary Election in June of this year. According to Humboldt County School District Superintendent, Dr. Dave Jensen, filling the vacancy will not affect his four-year term, set to start in January of 2023. Hammergren was the only one to apply for the interim position and the appointment will give him a jumpstart on getting into the swing of things before his 2023-2027 term officially begins.
• Humboldt County Transportation Coordinator, Anthony Valenzuela, updated the Trustees on school bus routes and modifications that have been made. Previously, elementary students in the Pioneer Park area and those near Center St. and Moon St. were not eligible to ride the bus because of the shortage of drivers. Now, adjustments have been made to accommodate the elementary students in the Pioneer Park area, which received the most concern from parents and Trustees. According to Valenzuela, HCSD is still short drivers and with an unexpected loss of a driver until Oct., he and other district employees are picking up extra routes in order to fill the gaps. There are, however, drivers in training to become substitute drivers and some are close to finishing their required certifications.
• The Trustees approved a request to purchase two school buses, which will be reimbursed through the Pupil Centered Funding Plan, which allows reimbursal for transportation on a four-year rolling average. By committing funds throughout the past four years to the budget for transportation, HCSD has secured a position that allows for optimal reimbursement at present. With the recent loss of a transmission in one bus and growing concerns about other buses— some of which are over 15 years old and have over 300,000 miles— the purchase will ensure student transportation safety and fiscal responsibility.
• The request to approve the 2022-2023 Indian Policies and Procedures (IPP) as a part of the HCSD’s Impact Aid application to the Federal Government passed unanimously. According to Dr. Jensen, HCSD usually receives between 500,00 and 600,000 dollars to go into the General Fund, which is used to offset the lack of tax revenues from property tax in Nevada (majority of the property in Nevada is federally owned). The IPP portion is reviewed with the input and feedback from the leadership of the Ft. McDermitt Tribe and student parents annually and is a significant factor in the Impact Aid allocation.
• The Trustees heard an update in regards to the ongoing supports and mentoring provided to new teaching staff in the HCSD. Traci Carbon, Humboldt County’s Educator Instructional Coach, was present to report on the resources that have been implemented for new teachers and the success she and others have had throughout the implementation. She explained that after reviewing startling statistics in regards to new teacher retention, she saw the need for a one-of-a-kind support system to be put in place. Sitting down with new teachers, addressing unique and changing needs and initiating socialization between teachers has proved to be pivotal in their goals to offer access to support and guidance to teachers in HCSD.
• The Trustees approved the draft board goals and superintendent goals for the 2022-2023 school year. Their goals included multifaceted aspects in regards to fiscal management, maintaining focus on academic improvement throughout all grades, enhancing involvement and visibility with the community, and professional development.