Letter: Decreasing home values in Douglas County a concern

Dear Editor, As a resident who moved to the Gardnerville community for its esteemed school system, I've witnessed a distressing decline in the Douglas County school district since the recent school board election. Initially drawn by the outstanding reputation of our schools and the dedication of Superintendent Keith Lewis, my family chose to make this community our home.

However, the actions of certain school board members, including Jansen, Dickerson, Burns, and Englekirk, along with their concerning hire of DUI attorney Joey Gilbert, have led to detrimental changes. These changes have not only impacted the morale of our educators but have also resulted in reckless decisions that are affecting our budget and the overall quality of education.

As a real estate broker with extensive experience in this area, I've observed the economic repercussions of these developments firsthand. The recent report by the Sierra Nevada Realtors revealing a 20.8 percent decrease in home values in Douglas County compared to neighboring areas is deeply concerning. Families are choosing to relocate due to apprehensions about the direction of our schools, resulting in significant economic losses for our community.

In just the past 8 months, I've assisted three families in leaving our community solely due to their concerns about the current state of the school board. It's heartbreaking to see families uprooting their lives and abandoning their dream homes because of the uncertainty surrounding our schools.

It's imperative that every member of our community, regardless of whether they have children in the district, recognizes the gravity of these developments. Local elections matter, and we must elect leaders who prioritize the well-being of our schools and the future of our children.

Sincerely,

Ginger Nicolay Davis
Concerned Douglas County Parent