Parties to pay schools for staffing at caucuses

The upcoming presidential caucuses nearly took a $300,000 bite out of the Clark County School District's general operating budget.

Faced with a legislative mandate to make schools available for the Republican and Democratic events on Jan. 19, district officials were appalled when the requests for space grew to encompass 257 sites that will require administrative oversight and custodial staffing on a Saturday.

On Friday, district officials decided that while the facilities had to be provided for free, the six-figure staffing costs will be passed on to both parties. At a time when all public schools are facing a $92 million reduction in state support because of revenue shortfalls, the caucus expenses were just too much.

Clark County took its lead from the Washoe County School District, where officials told caucus organizers from the start that they would have to pick up associated custodial costs.

"Under our facilities-use policy, we don't charge for rent of a facility but we can charge for custodial services," said Steve Mulvenon, Washoe's director of communications and community outreach.

"So the only charge we're imposing on the parties is $27.50 an hour for custodial overtime."

Clark County officials weren't aware until Friday that Washoe was recovering caucus staffing costs. Joyce Haldeman, in charge of the district's community and government relations, said both she and district legal counsel had originally interpreted the legislative mandate to mean that there would be no charge to the parties for caucus costs.

In addition, when the mandate was passed in the 2007 session, Haldeman said the district had no way of knowing how substantial the caucus-related facility requests were going to be.

"All of us thought that we had no choice because this is the law," Haldeman said.

In Clark County, the Republicans plan on using 31 school sites, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The associated cost in staffing and utilities is a minimum of $24,000. Democrats want to use 257 schools from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., which will cost $250,000 or more in staff and utilities.

Haldeman said the district is going to forgive the utility costs and charge the parties strictly for custodial services.

"We have been notified," said Kirsten Searer, deputy executive director for the Nevada Democratic Party. "We're happy to do our part."

When asked why the Democrats' request for school facilities was so much higher than the Republican request, Searer said the Democrats were aiming to have caucus sites within 31/2 miles of eligible participants.

Nevada Republican consultant Steve Wark said he also had received notice of the district's intent to bill for costs.

"We are reimbursing for personnel, and the facilities are being used for free, per statute," Wark said.

The Democratic caucuses will begin immediately after the Republican caucuses at many high schools, where principals are worried about having enough tables and chairs to meet the demand. At each high school site, the Democrats alone have asked for 984 chairs and 28 tables to be set up for their use.

"We have what we have," said Spring Valley High School Principal Bob Gerye. "They'll have to make do with what's here."

In a memo to one school caucus site, District Coordinator for Government Relations Holli Kalaleh told staff to do their best.

"I've advised them (Democrats) that it's unlikely you will have the number of chairs requested," Kalaleh said. "Bleachers in the gymnasium can substitute for the chairs in that room. Please do not move chairs from the classroom to fulfill that request."

Everything has to be set up and taken down on Jan. 19, principals said. The following Tuesday marks the start of a new semester, which places additional demands on school staff. There will be no time then to move furniture and rearrange classrooms to prepare for students.

"It's going to be very difficult to deal with for schools that aren't used to having big events," said Valley High School Principal Ron Montoya. "We have to be prepared for school the following week."

Haldeman said the district has declined requests from caucus organizers at some sites to use school computers. They've also declined requests from Democratic rally organizers who want to begin using some sites before the Republican caucuses have concluded.

"We can't double-book our facilities," Haldeman said. "That's just something we're not going to do."

While the custodial staff will be paid overtime, principals and administrators who work during the caucuses will receive an equivalent amount of time off for their services, Haldeman said. If a principal is unable to work on Jan. 19, other administrators have volunteered to fill in.

Gerye said Spring Valley administrators have agreed to work in shifts. That will allow staff who also want to take part in their own caucuses to do so.

"This is a chance for Nevada to be in the forefront of the nation for more than just gambling," Gerye said of the caucuses. "It's important. Everybody should participate."

Contact reporter Lisa Kim Bach at lbach @reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0287.