Back To School In Lyon County
Lyon County's seat is Yerington, and the county is south of Washoe and to the east of Carson City.
Its eighteen schools have just under 8,600 students spread over five different communities.
What challenges does the district face financially and geographically?
Wayne Workman would know. He's the district superintendent.
"Some of the challenges that we face here in Lyon County revolve around the distances between our communities," Workman said. "We spend a good amount of money getting our students to and from school every day."
He said the five communities and 18 schools in the district each have their own unique challenges, from Fernley High School in Fernley with about 1,000 students, to the kindergarten through 12th-grade school in Smith Valley. What each school needs is different, and needs to be addressed differently.
Like all districts in Nevada, money is an issue in Lyon County. Workman estimates the cap on property taxes, as well as the funding mechanism set in the Nevada Plan, is costing the district millions.
"We calculate that we are losing out on approximately $2.5 million per year because of the property tax abatement," he said.
The tax cap was put into place during the housing boom to keep property taxes from skyrocketing. Since the housing bust, local governments and school districts have been hurt by meager tax revenue. Workman said he understands why the cap was established, but now it needs to be changed.
"I think the unintended consequences are really impacting our schools," he said.
Like many rural counties, a high number of students are on free and reduced lunch programs, but Workman said the program is just a starting point to helping kids in need. The district works with local agencies and community groups to get help for kids in need, with everything from dental care to mental health services.
"These people do amazing things for our students and families, and allow them to really be able to learn at the level that they need to," he said.
Workman doesn't see success as a stopping point, but a journey.
"What makes it possible are the people," he said. "We have incredible staff members. We have incredible students, families and community members, and community partners that all make it possible for us to be on that journey towards success."
Wayne Workman, superintendent, Lyon County School District