Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board Meeting Recap: Water Restrictions, Bond Updates, and More
The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Education convened on Thursday to address several key issues, including upcoming water restrictions, progress on Measure U bond projects, the financial report for fiscal year 2024-2025, and a presentation from Sierra House Elementary on their school plans.
Board Reports and Employee Recognition
Student board member Miri Lucksinger highlighted student excitement for upcoming fall sports and the school musical, "Chicago," set to premiere on November 7. Superintendent Todd Cutler praised the student advisory council's presentation at the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) conference. Nicole Mora, president of the South Tahoe Educators’ Association (STEA), thanked the board for collaborating during negotiations, particularly regarding healthcare cap increases. Mora also urged the board to review school safety protocols in light of recent school shootings.
Water Restriction Compliance
Lauren Benefield, water conservation specialist at the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD), discussed the impact of AB 1572, which restricts the use of potable water for irrigating non-functional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. LTUSD must comply by January 1, 2027. STPUD offers a turf buy-back program and water-wise landscape consultation. Each school site is eligible for up to $5,000. The board considered cultivating their own plants to replace turf, similar to the city's efforts along Ski Run and U.S. Highway 50. President Lauri Kemper expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the environmental benefits of reducing turf.
Sierra House Elementary School Plans
Principal Karin Holmes presented Sierra House Elementary School's plans for the year, highlighting the pilot of Illustrative Mathematics and efforts to improve attendance. The school currently has 378 students, with 76 students receiving special services, 211 students who had turned in Fund our Future surveys and 69 English learners. Holmes also acknowledged the work of Mandy Miller, Kim Yuan, and Casey Donahue in supporting social emotional learning. The board expressed their appreciation for Holmes, who announced that this would be her last year as principal.
Budget and Bond Updates
George Rojas of the Cumming Group provided updates on the Measure U bond work, ensuring funds are spent on authorized uses. Designs for Tahoe Valley and South Tahoe High School will be submitted to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) by the end of the month. The board approved the special education study for LTUSD in spring 2026. Chairman Darrell Miller of the community advisory committee for special education emphasized the importance of collaboration. Kelly Buttery, chief business officer, presented the financial report for fiscal year 2024-2025, noting total revenue of $60.9 million and total expenditures of $62 million, with salaries and benefits representing 83% of expenditures.
Financial Performance and Board Policy Updates
The total revenues were lower than projected due to changes in property taxes, federal, state and local revenue and local control formula funds factors. However, expenditure cuts resulted in an increase of the ending fund balance of $2.6 million. The unaudited report was unanimously approved. Proposed updates to board policies from the California School Boards Association, including safety planning and wildfire evacuations, Title IX complaint procedures, and technology plans, were received and will be discussed at a future meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for September 25.
Generation Green: Cultivating Environmental Stewards in Lake Tahoe
Generation Green, an eight-week work-study program run by the U.S. Forest Service and the Great Basin Institute, provides dozens of local high school students with invaluable summer experiences in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This program introduces young people to careers in natural resource management, builds their leadership skills, and fosters a lasting connection to the environment.
Transformative Outdoor Experiences
Many participants describe Generation Green as a transformative experience, offering them their first real opportunity to explore the outdoors. Beyond professional development, students learn how to responsibly recreate in Tahoe’s forests, engaging in activities like backpacking and hiking. The program equips them with skills, confidence, and inspiration to be leaders.
Program Impact and Success
Since 2008, 209 students have successfully completed the Generation Green program. Of those, 191 have gone on to higher education, and 6 alumni have secured full-time permanent positions in the Forest Service. These numbers demonstrate the program's effectiveness in cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards and community leaders. Many students choose to build careers in natural resources, public service, or nonprofit work.
Tahoe Fund Support
The Tahoe Fund proudly supports Generation Green, enabling students to gain the skills, confidence, and inspiration they need to be leaders. Thanks to their donors, they can continue to help students access life-changing opportunities. Individuals such as their very own Outreach Coordinator, Jaclyn Tain.
