Some CCSD school staff say hours cut, positions eliminated due to budget issues

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - The Clark County School District's major budget shortfall is now leading to staffing changes, according to staff at some CCSD schools.

In a letter Friday, the Clark County School District said enrollment changes and salary increases resulted in some schools unexpectedly receiving less money and facing higher payroll costs, adding that they would make every effort to not impact school budgets.

But some CCSD staff say that's already happened, leading to hours cut and positions eliminated.

"The financial deficit that's going on right now has impacted a lot of schools across the district, which is forcing the schools' hand at having to let people go. I know our location, for example, had to let five positions go," said CCSD English teacher Krissina Alba.

Alba says she was let go from a CCSD middle school due to budget cuts.

"We knew this was going to be my last day as a teacher with them, and there were a lot of tears, a lot of parents emailing saying they're sorry that I have to go," she said. "So it's emotional for everyone involved."

"When we all heard that she was not going to be our teacher anymore, a lot of kids decided that we didn't want this to happen, so we tried to figure out ways that we could help her stay at the school," said Jackson Hrustyk, one of Ms. Alba's students.

"We tried to do a GoFundMe, but we didn't really get any money for that. We also were going to do like a car wash or sell candy to make her stay," said another student, Hermie Romero.

At a different CCSD school, a kindergarten teaching assistant said her hours were cut from six hours a day to five. "It also affects me in my check because I'm a single mom and I have to support my house, but at the same time, I also see that it will affect the kids because when they need help to transition from one activity to another, we have to be there for them."

After CCSD sent out the letter Friday, FOX5 asked the district if any of this could result in teacher layoffs or student activities being cut. The media relations department responded but did not answer those two questions.

In that letter, the district wrote that the "potential central budget deficit" was also due to unanticipated expenses like cybersecurity and litigation.