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, June 13, 2023
Washoe County School District Board of Trustees Meeting
Click here to see the meeting agenda.
What happened at this meeting?
Trustees Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights include:
- Final approval of proposed revisions to Board Policy 9100
- Approval of a dual enrollment agreement between UNR and WCSD
- Approval of an amendment to the K-12 virtual school program for students enrolled in North Star Virtual School
- Acceptance of the annual independence statement from the chief auditor
- Several software renewals
- Several re-appointments to boards, councils, and committees
Explore the consent agenda here.
Trustees Approved the Three-Year WCSD Strategic Plan
The Superintendent and contracted staff presented the WCSD Strategic Plan after significant community input and stakeholder participation. The plan includes the WCSD Promise and an equity policy, as well as student demographics.
The attributes of the Portrait of a WCSD Learner was also detailed (image below).
Goals for student success include a strong start for every child, student voice and advocacy, safety and belonging, academic growth and achievement, and empowering all learners for their future. The presentation also introduced four building blocks for action and decision-making: consistent standards-aligned curriculum and instruction; strong partnerships among families, community, and school; commitment to elevating educators; and culture of excellence and accountability. A roadmap for implementation was also included, as well as next steps for implementation.
Explore the presentation and the draft strategic plan.
Trustees Received an Update on the End of the 2023 Legislative Session
Trustees heard from staff and contractors on the end of the 2023 regular legislative session. The District’s platform included four priorities: advocate for strategic, sustainable, funding; personnel support; embracing a modern educational system; and creating opportunities and space for students to thrive.
The District’s education modernization bill, AB56, did not pass, but other bills that fit within its priorities did, including teacher mobility compacts (SB442), making the college and career readiness diploma opt-out vs. opt-in (AB241), grants for breakfast and lunch (AB319), and budget items included in SB503 (increased weights, a 29% increase in per-pupil funding, and $470 million for special education).
The Governor’s sweeping education bill, AB400, also passed with amendments. The final version includes early childhood literacy and readiness, city/county sponsored charter schools and charter school transportation, expansion of the duties of the Commission on School Funding, Teach Nevada and Nevada Teacher Advancement scholarships, and Read by 3. Provisions of AB400 that were removed from the final bill include open enrollment, state teacher pipeline account, the creation of the Office of School Choice, and expansion of Education Savings Accounts. Further, AB330, which was part of the Governor’s education package, was part of the District’s platform and passed. Several bills on meetings, trustees, and accountability also passed.
Next steps include a legislative closing report, reviewing the new bills and implementing changes, and continuing to collaborate with the Nevada Department of Education and the legislature in the interim.
Explore the presentation and the WCSD legislative platform.
Trustees Discussed an Update on Bills with Fiscal Impact and the General Fund and Approved Several Budget Items
Staff reviewed the updates to the FY24 budget, based on the end of the legislative session and final education budgets passed. The statewide base per-pupil amount increased from $7,074 in FY23 to $8,966 in FY24 and $9,414 in FY25. WCSD’s per-pupil amount increased from $8,862 to $9,243, with increase in weighted funding to English learners and at-risk students.
While some bills’ fiscal impacts are still being calculated, the net surplus, based on updated costs and revenue estimates, is $76.7 million. Tentative budget decisions were discussed in work session, with proposed spending and phasing for walk zones, school police at middle schools, and stand-alone principals.
Trustees approved reducing current walk zones by 0.25 miles to restore the increase in 2028 for FY2024, as is practical. Trustees also eliminated stand-alone principals in FY24, as is practical. Under the option that passed, flex allocations for elementary schools that do not receive an Assistant Principal, Dean, or Learning Facilitators would be created. This would create 24 new certified positions. Trustees approved authorizing eight additional police officer positions, one sergeant, and one dispatcher. They also voted to add campus safety monitors to middle school campuses.
Next steps include reserving funds for the implementation of the strategic plan ($10 million), additional analysis on fiscal impacts of legislation and initial steps for strategic plan implementation, and passing a final amended budget on June 27. Trustees directed staff to incorporate feedback and motions into the amended final budget.
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Approved the Purchase of Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Materials
Trustees approved the purchase of middle school English Language Arts instructional materials from Houghton Mifflin Hardcourt. The cost of this purchase is $3,851,310.
Explore the Master Price Agreement.
Trustees Approved the Purchase of Middle School Science Instructional Materials
Trustees approved the purchase of middle school science instructional materials from OpenSciEd through Carolina Science. The cost of this purchase is $3,700,340.
Explore the Master Price Agreement.
Trustees Approved the Purchase of Biology Instructional Materials
Trustees approved the purchase of biology instructional materials from Houghton Mifflin Hardcourt. The cost of this purchase is $1,200,000.
Explore the Master Price Agreement.
Student Representative’s Report
The Student Representative Report highlights included:
- New Student Representative for the Board, and the continuation of the Student Advisory Council
- Thanks to Trustees for their support and inclusion
Trustee Reports
Trustee reports highlights included:
- Creating incentives for athletic feeder programs
- School visits and related event attendance
- Commemorating Flag Day
- Trustee awards and recognition
- School STEM awards
Superintendent’s Report
The Superintendent’s report highlights included:
- Standing with the LGBTQ community during Pride Month
- Gratitude to the outgoing Student Representative
- Visiting each school in the District at least once
- Graduation ceremonies taking place in the next week
Public Comment
Public comment was heard on the following topics:
- Alternative attendance pathways for students
- Public comment periods at board meetings
- Trustee decorum and behavior
- Student safety
- Education at the Legislature
- Body cameras in school
- School attendance
The next Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
