The Clark County School District’s Chief Financial Officer, Jason Goudie, was removed from his position on Thursday night following concerns about a potential budget deficit. The district informed schools about possible miscalculations in teachers’ salaries, which could lead to staff reductions.
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Diane Bartholomew will step in as an interim CFO, with a focus on improving collaboration, communication, and support for schools during the budgeting process. Several principals raised alarms about inaccuracies in the budget calculations for teacher salaries, which could impact school programs and staffing levels. This error stemmed from failing to include an 8 percent salary increase for licensed professionals mandated by SB231, providing $250 million in funding for Nevada school districts.
John Vellardita, the executive director of the Clark County Education Association, criticized Goudie’s dismissal as a “political scapegoat” and called for accountability from the superintendent and trustees. He urged Governor Joe Lombardo to investigate the budget issues and requested the interim Superintendent Brenda Larsen-Mitchell to withdraw her candidacy for the permanent superintendent position.
CCEA plans to propose legislation during the upcoming legislative session to address oversight processes and systemic mismanagement within the district. The organization highlighted a pattern of financial mismanagement, including substantial raises for executive cabinet members, including Goudie, who received a $51,000 raise, bringing his salary to $265,000.
Vellardita questioned the existence of an actual deficit, pointing out that the school district had a significant budget allocation for employee salaries and benefits in the approved $3.5 billion budget for 2024-2025. Despite starting the school year with 1,000 teacher vacancies, Vellardita suggested that the district still had funds from these vacancies, raising doubts about the reported deficit.
The situation underscores broader concerns about leadership, financial oversight, and transparency within the Clark County School District. As stakeholders seek answers and solutions, the focus remains on ensuring that students, teachers, and schools have the necessary resources and support for a successful academic year.
