Needing to cut another $400,000 to $600,000 before May 21, the Churchill County School Board may cut from the district's administration budget.

In a last ditch effort to save $2.2 million, the school board will meet Monday where all potential cuts will be on the table for discussion.

Churchill County Education Association President Margie Villanueva said everyone has taken a major hit with the recent budget cuts - except for the "5,000-pound elephant" known as the district office.

She said cutting from the top would have less of an impact on students because those employees do not come in contact with pupils. In the past, she said, the district was small enough it did not need all the administrators that now work there.

"I think that's an area that needs to be looked at," Villanueva said, adding there are 15 secretaries and an abundance of administrators at the district office.

"They are the furthest (ones) removed from our district," she said.

The CCEA president said it is unimaginable how the elementary schools will handle the increased class sizes, and how students are going to handle being shuffled to other schools. Cuts, she added, should not impact students.

Trustee Lou Buckmaster said he always thought there were too many employees at the district office and asked Board President Greg Koenig to place the item on Monday's agenda. Koenig said every potential cut will be on the table.

The board did approve additional cuts for the transportation and maintenance departments at a savings of about $170,000, most coming from not filling a mechanic and custodial position.

"We are trying to come up with the best way to cut in the maintenance department", said Lynn Detomasi, director of business services.

E. C. Best teacher Becky Dodd said she did not have much of an issue with cutting the summertime painting to save $15,000 with a few exceptions. She said there are two walls at E. C. Best that should be painted.

"They look awful. I'm rather embarrassed," she said.

Lahontan Valley High School Principal Keith Boone explained to the board how his school could save the district more than $100,000 by cutting a security position, reducing an art position teacher to part-time, supervising the transportation department and sharing a counseling position with Northside Elementary.

Walt Henderson, a supervisor of the maintenance department, wondered how the district expects them to do their work with fewer employees. Assistant Superintendent Gregg Malkovich replied everyone has to pick it up in these trying times.

Tom Riggins was dismayed the administration came to Tuesday's meeting with no plan on how to save $400,000 to $600,000. He said the savings in maintenance and transportation would not even get the district halfway to where it must be at by May 21.

"We have squeezed everything we can. It's got to come from somewhere," Riggins said while talking about cutting the maintenance budget some more. "I will not approve the budget if I don't have it a week in advance. I'm disappointed with what we have been presented with tonight. It does not even get us there."

Malkovich said the leadership team is examining sharing responsibilities on positions rather than filling them.

"I will not take cuts with a leap of faith," Riggins replied angrily. "If we are going to do a budget, lets do a budget. Let's not get spoon fed and drag this on any longer (than needed)."

Trustee Paul Hinz lashed out at the taxation committee's oversight of the school district.

"We are trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip. In the end it's not going to be worth it," he said. "Everyone is sacrificing. We need to tell them how we feel. There is a point where we just need to stop. I really get frustrated trying to eke out a few dollars. We are doing without."

Jane Moon, parent liaison for the district, asked about the repercussions if the board did not find savings of $2.2 million.

Detomasi said the taxation committee could come in and take control of the district. She said the concern at the state level is the district in the last two to three years has spent more money received from the state.

"If we don't come up with $2.2 million, we will be violating state law," Detomasi said.

Trustee Richard Gent said the department of taxation does not want to take control of the district, but will if needed.

The board was accused of cutting nickel and dime items to save funds, by members of the audience Tuesday night and Gent said this is where the board is now at because the larger funding items had already been done.

Superintendent Carolyn Ross, speaking in the third person, said she remembers the superintendent recommendations the board rejected, specifically merging LVHS with CCHS.

When asked how the board and Ross work together, Gent explained the board gives the superintendent direction, and she is suppose to come up with ideas.

"At your discretion?" Ross was asked.

"Absolutely, that is what the administration does," Ross replied testily.

The board meets at 6 p.m. Monday at the district office to discuss budget cuts one last time.