The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions
are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.
Washoe County School District Board of Trustees
What is the Board of Trustees & what are they responsible for? The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees are publicly elected decision-makers for the school district. They are responsible for providing oversight to the Superintendent and establishing District-wide policy. Trustees are accountable to work with their communities to improve student achievement.
Click here to learn more and see a list of current Trustees.
How often does the Board of Trustees meet? Trustees meet twice per month (second and fourth Tuesdays) at 2 pm both virtually and at the Central Administration Building Board Room, 425 E. 9th St., Reno, NV 89512.
Click here for a full list of Trustees meetings.
Can community members engage at Trustee meetings? Decision-making bodies benefit greatly from hearing public input and multiple perspectives. Currently, members of the public can submit comments on agenda and non-agenda items through email or voice recording. Public comment can be provided in person or via email. Email comments should be submitted to publiccomments@washoeschools.net.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Washoe County School District Board of Trustees Meeting
Click here to see the meeting agenda.
Watch the meeting playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Trustees Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights include:
- Grant application to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to fund the Family Resource Center’s parent education programs, public awareness campaign, and crisis intervention services
- Renewal of agreement with Infinite Campus
- Grant application to the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation for the personalized learning program at Incline High School
- Several re-appointments to boards, councils, and committees
- Several facilities items
Explore the consent agenda here.
Trustees Conducted a Public Hearing on and Approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget
Staff presented on the final budget, which must be sent to the Department of Taxation by June 8. Changes since the approval of the tentative budget include a decreased to an assumed rate increase for health insurance, a decrease to revenue for special education, the cost of Gerlach housing, providing for one month of universal free meals to ease the transition to paid meals for the 2024-25 school year, and a slight change to budgeted debt service.
Highlights from the budget include additional supports for high-needs schools, supports for academic achievement, expanded Pre-K opportunities, supporting student engagement, and new positions added.
Personnel investments include cost-of-living adjustments; continuation of SB 231 salary matches; step increases, continuation of cash-out of vacation leave, and longevity pay; and a 2.57% health insurance rate increase.
Capital investments include facility modernization of several campuses, including Stead Elementary School, Loder Elementary School, Palmer Elementary School, Mathews Elementary School, Maxwell Elementary School, Debbie Smith CTE High School, and Vaughn Middle School; $50 million in capital renewal projects; and funding for the IT device refresh program.
Explore the budget presentation.
Trustees Proclaimed May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the District
Trustees proclaimed May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month for the District, encouraging all members of the community to support the mental health needs of youth and staff.
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Heard an Update from the Nevada Association of School Boards
Trustees received an update from Nevada Association of School Boards on the organization and asked for feedback regarding how they can effectively serve school boards in Nevada. Trustees mentioned additional training opportunities in more diverse geographies, legislative advocacy efforts, and priorities ahead of the 2025 legislative session. NASB identified several priorities, including funding, infrastructure, safety, school board composition, and free and reduced meal programs.
Trustees discussed national policy priorities and alignment with District needs, as well as affecting change on a national level and its impact on Nevada policies.
Review supplemental material provided by Trustee Church.
Trustees Heard Updates from Community Partner Organizations
Staff highlighted several partnerships with community organizations:
- Children’s Cabinet – Providing suicide prevention and SOS screening services since 2018-19
- Communities in Schools of Western Nevada – Providing an integrated students support model that includes focusing on attendance, student performance, behavior, and social-emotional learning, now offered at 15+ schools
- Dean’s Future Scholars – Empowering students who are first-generation to graduate high school and achieve higher education with programs beginning in sixth grade
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Received a Presentation to Introduce the New Logo and Mascot for the Cold Springs Early Childhood Center
Cold Springs Early Childhood Center will open in August 2024 and will have nine classrooms to accommodate up to 100 three and four-year olds. The logo and mascot were debuted at the meeting, staying in the same color palette and imagery as Cold Springs Middle School. The mascot will be the Cold Springs Cubs.
Review the presentation.
Trustees Received a Presentation to Introduce the New Logo and Mascot for Debbie Smith Career and Technical Education Academy High School
In January 2024, a committee formed to guide the logo and mascot selection process. A survey on four mascot options was sent to the committee, as well as students and families scheduled to attend the school in August 2025. The winning mascot was the Mavericks.
In April and May, ten logo concepts were created, with the stakeholder group reviewing and revising the concepts. The stakeholder group selected the final logo.
Review the presentation.
Trustees Entered into a Written Employment Agreement Between WCSD and Joseph Ernst
Trustees approved entering into a written employment agreement between the District and new Superintendent Joseph Ernst, to begin July 8, 2024.
Review the employment agreement.
Student Representative’s Report
Report highlights included:
- Recapping the Student Voice conference held on May 17, noting the productive and collaborative discussion regarding student issues and supporting chapters at different schools
- Gratitude to Trustees during her tenure as Student Representative
Trustee Reports
Report highlights included:
- Attending various school events and activities
- Family recognition and celebrations
- Looking forward to graduation events
- Reminder about the primary election and early voting
- Student success stories
- Planning for governance training
- Goal setting and contract negotiations for the new Superintendent
Interim Superintendent’s Report
Report highlights included:
- Attending the EDAWN board meeting
- Attending the Student Voice conference
- Participating in various staff and student development activities and events
Public Comment
- Public records requests
- Concerns regarding student data
The next Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
