Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 6:27 PM

School district updates emergency plans in case of shutdown

School district updates emergency plans in case of shutdown

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

With the possibility that Governor Steve Sisolak could order severe COVID-19 restrictions next week, and with case numbers rising throughout the county, the Lyon County School District has updated its emergency plans in the case of a shutdown.

Superintendent Wayne Workman told the district’s Board of Trustees at its Nov. 18 meeting that district administration met with leadership of all of the schools in the district to update the emergency plans.

“We have people in community who are infected who happen to be employees or students,” Workman said. “Earlier today, we refined our emergency plans in case of the shutdown of a classroom, a school or, heaven forbid, the entire district.”

The COVID-19 data page on the District’s website was last updated Nov. 6, and at that time there were two staff members and four students with active cases. However, Workman told the Board that the district’s chief nurse and Human Resources department have been busy with contact tracing efforts because of new cases.

“Just this past weekend it blew up on them and they spent a lot of hours doing that,” he said.

Workman said one of the district’s concerns is that if too many staff members at one school were forced into quarantine, it could leave that school with not enough staff to continue in-person instruction.

In addition, Workman said there is concern that Sisolak could order school closures next week. Last week Sisolak issued a voluntary stay-at-home order, but warned that he could impose more drastic restrictions if case numbers, test positivity rates and hospitalization rates don’t improve during these two weeks.

If a class, school, or the entire district is mandated to transition to full distance learning, teachers are expected to continue to provide digital materials, such as Edgenuity, Google Classroom or Discovery Education, and to provide paper packets for students who don’t have access to the internet.

School officers would have at least one administrator and one secretary on site, and teachers would be allowed to be on campus.

Nutrition services and the transportation department would provide meals via bus routes for all children aged 18 and under in the county.


Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

COMMENTS
Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster Comment author: Sheena Nash Comment text: After the trivia night is over, I would love for you to print the questions. I grew up in Fernley and would be interested to see how many answers I know. The coin is beautiful. Congrats on 25 years as a city! Comment publication date: 6/22/26, 1:38 PM Comment source: City of Fernley planning 25th anniversary celebration with three days of community events C Comment author: Carl C. Hagen Comment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion. Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AM Comment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-ramp