The Lyon County School District Board of Trustees on April 22 accepted an update from Orcutt Winslow and partner firms on the district's 10-year facilities master plan.

The update, presented by Executive Director of Operations Harmon Banes and consultants Scott Cywinski and Holly Williams of Orcutt Winslow, summarized campus walkthroughs, community engagement, facility-condition assessments (FCI), and demographic projections. Banes said the contractors "are nearing the conclusion of this process" and that trustees would receive further recommendations in the coming months.

Orcutt Winslow and partner firms Amaresco (facility-condition assessment) and Zonda Education (demographics) reported that the district’s portfolio shows an ongoing unfunded maintenance liability and that targeted investments can reduce near‑term risk. Scott Cywinski explained the facility‑conditions index (FCI) work and said the consultants had walked “every single campus” and cataloged assets and useful life data for HVAC units, roofing, and other major systems.

The consultants showed scenario modeling demonstrating how annual capital investments would change the FCI curve. They also combined four data streams — capacity/demographics, adequacy, suitability and condition — into a single campus prioritization score intended to help trustees identify where investments will have the greatest effect.

Trustees questioned specific campus projections. Trustee Whistler and others asked about Fernley growth and whether the high school could reach capacity; the consultants said demographic assumptions and planned housing pipelines were built into the model and that the district will refresh the study every three years so projections can be revised as development and approvals change. Scott Cywinski said the district already had approved several near‑term HVAC projects; the consultants included those projects in a revised FCI that lowers immediate priorities where upgrades are already planned.

Board members also asked for more granular lists describing what “wear and tear” replacements entail and for clearer narratives about what a given enhancement (for example a makerspace or CTE lab modernization) would require in cost and space. Cywinski said the final report will include campus dashboards with narratives, prioritization scores, projected years of need and sample enhancement descriptions.

Trustee Peterson moved that the board accept the Orcutt Winslow update; Trustee Whistler seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Trustees were told the consultants expect to return with prioritized recommendations and estimated costs before summer so the board can consider projects in upcoming budget discussions.