Next Douglas County School Board to meeting: Gilbert's bill, budget increases, superintendent hiring process on agenda

The next monthly meeting of the Douglas County School Board will be held on December 12, 2023, at 4 p.m. at the Douglas High School Media Center and will be carried on Zoom (https://dcsd-k12.zoom.us/j/81999349449 passcode Dec2023).

On the agenda:

Attorney Joey Gilbert has billed the district $40,326.61 for his monthly charges, $7,500 of which is his monthly retainer. Gilbert says he doesn't have to release an itemized invoice due to attorney-client privilege, but School Trustee Linda Gilkerson has repeatedly asked for it and it hasn't been produced. South Tahoe Now, through a public record request, asked for details from Gilbert's previous bill, but that has not yet been honored.

Since the budgeted $123,050 annual legal fees have been exceeded less than halfway through the fiscal year, Board President Susan Jansen is asking for a $350,000 budget increase to cover Gilbert's bills through June. The agenda has marked for discussion and possible action budget adjustments of $4.6M on the $62.48M budget approved.

Discussion of having a feasibility study done by Douglas County for possible paid parking when school is not in session at Zephyr Cove Elementary and Whittell High School. With the elimination of parking on US50 in front of Zephyr Cove Resort, vehicle parking is expected at the schools as well as Zephyr Cove Park, and along Warrior Way. The study would analyze the possibility of paid parking and look at expenses and revenue-sharing. The Whittell parent's club used paid parking in those areas on the 4th of July weekend as a fundraiser, but the "no parking" on US50 is expected to create that type of revenue on all summer weekends.

The terms of Acting Superintendent Jeanette Dwyer's contract will be discussed and possibly acted on: Daily pay of $695.48 until a superintendent has been hired; outline of duties including 'respond to all requests from the President, as head of the Board,' earn vacation, retirement, insurance, and other areas at her rate outlined in her original contract as executive director of inclusive education.

The search for a superintendent to replace Keith Lewis has not begun but the trustees will discuss and possibly vote on the position's job description and determine the hiring process (accepting applications, screening and evaluation method for applicants, interviews, and hiring). At the last board meeting, President Jansen and Trustee Gilkerson were tasked with figuring out the steps for hiring a new superintendent.

As previously reported, Trustee Tony Magnotta has given his resignation letter to the Board, and the process to find his replacement will begin once the Board accepts his resignation.

For the full agenda and participation instructions, visit https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1502.