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, November 12, 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:
- Approval of frontage improvements to Smith Elementary School
- Emergency repairs and equipment at Nutrition Services
- Approval of the draft balanced calendar for Incline Village Schools, Gerlach Schools, and Truckee Meadows Community College High School for the 2026-27 school year
Explore the consent agenda here.
Trustees Recognized National Apprenticeship Week 2024
Trustees presented a proclamation honoring National Apprenticeship Week in the District from November 17-23, 2024.
Explore the proclamation.
Trustees Recognized Veterans Day
Trustees presented a proclamation honoring Veterans Day in the District on November 11, 2024.
Explore the proclamation.
Trustees Recognized Native American Heritage Month
Trustees presented a proclamation honoring November as Native American Heritage Month in the District.
Explore the proclamation.
Trustees Approved Audit Results for the District Year Ending June 30, 2024
Staff and representatives from Crowe LLP accounting firm presented the audit results from the school year ending June 30, 2024. There were no corrected or uncorrected misstatements, no difficulties encountered with management or disagreements with management, and no consultation with other accountants took place.
There were no significant or adverse events that required attention in connection with the completion of the audit. Additionally, there were no reportable findings identified for the 2023-24 fiscal year, and there were no findings with respective to financial statement audit, uniform guidance audit, or statutory findings in respect of Nevada Revised Statutes.
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Approved Construction Updates and Funding Requests for Stead Area Elementary School
On behalf of the Capital Funding Protection Committee, the Chief Facilities Management Officer presented the recommendation regarding construction updates and the funding request. The amount of the additional funding is $8,160,000 and will be funded by Fund 94 2024B Extended Bond Rollover.
The Stead area elementary school will be a site-adapt version of the original prototype elementary design. Board approval was granted on August 13, 2024, for $52.3 million in funding for the construction phase within the 2024/2025 ‘A’ Major Projects Program.
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Discussed Progress of “Phone Away Learn Today” Action Plan Proposal for Managing Personal Electronic Devices in Schools and Classrooms in the WCSD
The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees reviewed the goals and timeline for the “Phone Away & Learn Today” campaign, with plans to pilot the revised Administrative Regulation 5810 during the 2024-2025 school year. This regulation aligns with Nevada state law requiring school districts to adopt policies on student cellphone use and discipline.
Stakeholder feedback included a majority of families wanting to be able to contact their child during the day, students preferring teacher discretion, and the importance of teacher choice, as well as the need for the policy to increase student engagement and improve mental health, as well as address unhealthy habits.
Rising concerns over cellphone misuse had sparked national and local debates about its impact on student behavior and learning. In response, Washoe County’s Regulation 5810 provided guidance for managing personal electronic devices in schools, and a goal of the new plan is to update that regulation and include special circumstances. The District is also planning for a pilot program to address the negative mental health, student learning and social emotional impact of the misuse of technology on students. It will employ a communications plan for the “Phone Away and Learn Today” campaign, including a public service announcement and digital poster contest.
Explore the presentation.
Student Representative Report
Report highlights included:
- Appreciation for upcoming Apprenticeship Week in Washoe County
Trustee Report
Report highlights included:
- School visitation celebrations
- Recognition for the armed forces and their support for the school district
- Recognition for School Psychologists and upcoming mental health awareness month
Superintendent’s Report
Report highlights included:
- School visitation celebrations
- Smithridge Elementary wins the innovation portion of the Lego League Challenge
Public Comment
- Public comment discussed the celebration of National School Psychologist’s week and concerns regarding members of the Board
The next Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for November 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
