Balancing Authority and Responsibility
Decentralization and Balancing Authority
Much of the reorganization law is dedicated to delineating the balance of authority and responsibility between the District, or central office, led by the Superintendent, and schools, or school precincts, led by the principal.
In compliance with state law and regulations, each school operates using site-based decision-making in which certain authority to carry out responsibilities is transferred from the District to the school as set forth in NRS 388G.610.
School Authorities and Responsibilities
Selection and supervision of employees who are assigned to the school, evaluated by the principal or a designee of the principal, and who are not members of central services, in alignment with appropriate negotiated agreements, district policies and regulations, and state and federal law.
Consultation on the assignment of central services staff to schools.
Development and submission of a plan of operation, which consists of the school performance plan and the school budget, in accordance with NRS 388G.700 through NRS 388G.710 and District administrative guidelines, directives, and timelines.
Carrying out the school plan of operation, including:
The purchase of equipment, services, and supplies the principal requires to carry out the school plan of operation as defined by NRS 388G.545, in alignment with district purchasing policies and regulations and the limitations set forth in NRS 388G.610(3).
Paying for and carrying out any specific responsibility transferred to the school by the Board of School Trustees, according to the specific terms provided in the approved transfer of responsibility.
Specifically planning for and use of carryforward dollars toward meeting the goals established in the plan of operation.
Ensuring that funds are used purposefully with a focus on student outcomes, in alignment with the school performance plan.
District Authorities and Responsibilities
All responsibilities necessary for the operation of the schools and the District not specifically transferred to principals, and:
Negotiating the salaries, benefits and other conditions of employment of administrators, teachers and other staff necessary for the operation of the local school precinct;
Transportation services;
Food services;
Risk management services;
Financial services, including payroll services;
Qualifying employees for any position within the large school district;
Services to promote and ensure equity and diversity;
Services to ensure compliance with all laws relating to civil rights;
Identification, evaluation, program placement, pupil assignment and other services provided to pupils pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, or pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto;
Legal services;
Maintenance and repair of buildings;
Maintenance of the grounds of the local school precinct;
Custodial services;
Implementation of the master plan developed for English learners;
Internal audits;
Information technology services;
Police services;
Emergency management services;
Carrying out state mandated assessments and accountability reports;
Capital projects; and
Utilities.
Selection, placement, reassignment, and other employment decisions related to School Associate Superintendents.
Under the reorganization, principals in CCSD have a high level of autonomy, but that autonomy is limited. All authority granted to the Superintendent and to principals is bound by compliance with federal and state law, District policies and regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
Funding the Balance of Authority
Schools are budgeted using the State per-pupil funding model in accordance with Nevada law. Within that allocation, at least 85% of the District's unrestricted funds are allocated directly to schools. Allocations are shared with principals and posted on the District website annually. Also, any funds left unspent by schools at the end of the school year are carried forward in the school budget to the next year.
In later modules, you will learn about the budgeting cycle and how that interacts with the school performance plan cycle to form the school Plan of Operation.
Transfer of Responsibilities
Additional responsibilities may be considered for transfer between central services and schools, if recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board of School Trustees. The Superintendent has sole discretion on developing recommendations to transfer additional responsibilities to schools, if all of the following are true:
The Superintendent determines the transfer of responsibility will serve the best interest of students.
The responsibility is not otherwise required by law to be carried out by someone other than the school principal.
Principals, SOT members, Region Superintendents, and School Associate Superintendents were consulted regarding the specific transfer of responsibility being recommended.
Funds that would be transferred to schools to support the transferred responsibility can be calculated at a per-pupil, per-school, or per-unit cost using financial data.
The transfer of responsibility will not conflict with collective bargaining agreements.
If a responsibility is transferred, the amount that is estimated the District would spend on the responsibility in the coming school year shall be transferred to schools in accordance with NRS 388G.610, utilizing an allocation methodology determined by the Business and Finance Unit to be the most accurate and appropriate.
Service Level Agreements
The Superintendent has the authority under NAC 388G.120 to determine annually which District services will be made available by the District for purchase by principals via service level agreements. In such cases, a service level agreement shall be drafted in accordance with NAC 388G. Service level agreements may be developed to govern services related to a responsibility transferred from central office to schools or newly provided services unrelated to a transfer of responsibility.