Contract with Cooper Approved at School Board Meeting Trustees also approve tentative budget for 2027

The Churchill County School District Board of Trustees last week approved a new contract for incoming Superintendent Blake Cooper and unanimously adopted the district’s tentative budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Trustees voted unanimously to approve Cooper’s contract following minor amendments discussed during the meeting. The agreement establishes a two-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and running through June 30, 2028, with a built-in review after the first year. Under the revised terms, the board will consider extending the contract by one or two additional years prior to July 1, 2027. 

Board members also included a provision tying the superintendent’s compensation adjustments to employee negotiations, specifying that if any bargaining unit does not receive a step increase in a given year, the superintendent would not receive one either. 

Following the vote, Cooper addressed the board and community, emphasizing his connection to Fallon and the district.

“It’s an absolute honor to be the next superintendent of Churchill County School District,” Cooper said, noting his roles as a parent, community member, and educator. He said he plans to lead with those perspectives and is committed to working closely with staff and trustees while maintaining a focus on integrity and service to the community. 

The board then turned its attention to the district’s tentative budget, which was also approved unanimously after discussion. District staff described the document as a conservative, “worst-case scenario” plan designed to ensure financial stability amid ongoing uncertainty in state funding and enrollment trends.

Finance officials noted that the budget accounts for declining student enrollment and the loss of federal relief funds that had supported programs in recent years. Trustees emphasized that the district has worked proactively over the past several years to align staffing and spending with enrollment levels, including limiting hiring to necessary positions and prioritizing core student services. 

Administrators expressed confidence that the district is entering the next fiscal year on a stable footing, with one trustee noting Churchill County may be among the few districts in Nevada currently operating with a balanced budget.

At the same time, board members acknowledged potential financial pressures ahead. Projections indicate that fiscal year 2028 could present tighter conditions if spending is not carefully managed. Trustees emphasized the importance of continuing conservative budgeting practices to avoid future shortfalls. 

Several factors contributing to uncertainty were discussed, including changes to state funding formulas and ongoing costs associated with special education, transportation, and support for at-risk students.

District officials highlighted recent changes in how the state determines funding for at-risk students, resulting in a reduction of approximately $260,000 compared to the previous year. They also noted that districts are often required to provide services beyond the funding they receive, particularly in areas such as special education and English learner programs. 

In addition, the district continues to manage rising operational costs, including fuel and expanded transportation services, while balancing the need to maintain programs valued by the community.

Staff explained that budgeting for a school district requires accounting for a wide range of potential variables, leading to conservative projections in areas such as special education transfers. While some line items may ultimately come in lower than budgeted, officials said the approach is necessary to avoid financial shortfalls during the year. 

Trustees also pointed to efforts to improve financial management practices, including leveraging district funds to generate additional interest revenue and increasing transparency in the budgeting process.

Overall, board members described the tentative budget as a responsible plan that reflects both current realities and long-term challenges facing public education funding in Nevada.

“This is solid information,” Superintendent Derild Parsons told the board, adding that the district has moved toward more reliable and transparent financial planning.

The budget approval represents an early step in the process, with additional opportunities for review and refinement before final adoption later this year.

Together, the contract approval and budget adoption signal a period of transition for the district, pairing new leadership with a continued emphasis on cautious financial management as schools navigate changing enrollment, funding structures, and rising costs.