[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6363354,"mediaKeyId","2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5","parentId",2166319,"title","Board accepts preK'2 study, directs superintendent to move forward on new elementary at Pine; Pine temporary closure ordered","audioSeconds",3439,"startMs",4466000,"endMs",7905000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5&start=4466&end=7905","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5/thumbnail_4466000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363354/Nevada/Board-accepts-preK2-study-directs-superintendent-to-move-forward-on-new-elementary-at-Pine-Pine-temporary-closure-ordered","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363354-cb0e93a2e554be8ec811728aea065ee3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173009&Signature=IuHMkiwt5IcC6vJTxmpoPt8iBubVCj1Uq-4vg-JjLJoUXL7B7hpICtA5s6KfTpXpwsCOYs4Q7wPEOLnOwK6R0VINOx8zm6cI-iFuGxY-6hN71lcIchvtdcg7KlOtd4TG33qXY5o4VBsV3J7DgxlyqpBp3QJJPYHLe1u9vO0j~9TK3Y7g0aA3d9lSFNIAkd1TV7SqLziwBTixuw~BxMiRTSXWtW--xizTzvMcHTDJeBQ0qJu1ktVKtDIJEQazz2LIA-A49wc5zObIrjZTxsh-E7SzKN~DRpcR~xjQazc0TP~I8jZQ1hSdAPUdNqSkRWIZmDEn92cQ3KMwgH07u9hZFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washoe County School District, NV","date","2025-01-29T02:36:03Z","article","Washoe County trustees on Tuesday accepted a consultant'led feasibility study on preK'2 grade configurations and directed the superintendent to implement the recommendation to build new elementary schools at two middle-school sites; the board then voted to initiate a temporary closure of Edward L. (Pine) Middle School to reconstruct the Pine campus as a preK'5 elementary.

\"The recommendation, upon tremendous investigation and engagement, is to proceed with the construction of new elementary schools at those locations,\" Chief Operating Officer Adam Searcy said as he summarized the study and its alignment with the 2023 Facilities Modernization Plan.

Canon Design'led work and a district task force studied the feasibility of converting or reconceiving two middle-school sites (Pine and Trainer) as elementary schools for the surrounding Smithridge, Dodson, Duncan, Lemelson and nearby communities. Paul Mills of Canon Design and Secondary Associate Chief Lauren Ford described a participatory process that included community meetings, peer-district interviews and operational reviews of transportation, staffing, and program access.

The consultants reported four main findings: preK'2 configurations can succeed in some contexts and have merit for consideration; the two campuses studied could accommodate new elementary facilities; operating an equitable preK'8 model \"done right\" requires increased staffing and greater operating costs; and local community receptiveness to preK'8 was limited in the two communities studied.

Canon Design'led cost and operational work found that providing middle-school-style course diversity in a smaller K'8 cohort requires either larger scale or disproportionate staffing investment. Paul Mills testified that school leadership and staffing needs are factors to weigh carefully: \"In a pre k through 8 model ... the sorts of teachers that you rely on to make this happen are unicorns,\" he said.

Community reaction was mixed. Smithridge Principal Mike Dixon, who led outreach in his neighborhood, said he opposed a K\b model at the Trainer/Pine sites because of instructional and safety concerns, noting the complexity of supervising larger, multiage campuses. \"The larger your campus is, the more diluted your time is,\" Dixon said, describing the instructional leadership challenges of larger combined campuses.

After the consultant presentations and public comment, Trustee Hall moved to accept the study and direct the superintendent to implement the recommendation; Trustee Westlake seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote.

Trustees then considered a separate agenda item to provide direction to the superintendent to initiate the temporary closure of Edward L. Pine Middle School under Administrative Regulation 7087 at the start of the 2026'27 school year to allow reconstruction. Vice President Mayberry moved that the board direct the superintendent to start that temporary closure, and Trustee Phoenix seconded. The motion passed 7'0to'0.

District staff clarified sequencing: the Pine campus would be vacated only after the opening of the new Vaughn Middle School and in coordination with other enabling projects; construction of a new elementary on the Pine campus could begin if the board affirmed the recommendation, and the Pine-based elementary could open for the 2028\t29 school year under the recommended timeline.

Officials said the work would be phased and that detailed zoning, transportation and boundary adjustments would follow, with engagement through the district's Zoning Advisory Committee and community meetings in the 2026 and 2027 school years. Staff emphasized the study created an \"implementation toolkit\" for future facilities work and that Trainer remains on a later timeline (2029+ in the study), pending related projects.

The actions concluded two linked steps in the Facilities Modernization Plan: accepting the study and giving district staff direction to proceed with the Pine rebuild plan.

Votes at a glance

- Accept preK'2 feasibility study and direct superintendent to implement recommendations (motion by Trustee Hall; second Trustee Westlake). Outcome: approved (voice vote; board recorded motion carries).
- Direct superintendent to initiate temporary closure of Edward L. Pine Middle School beginning 2026'27 for reconstruction as a preK'5 elementary (motion by Vice President Mayberry; second Trustee Phoenix). Outcome: approved, 7'0'to''0.

Trustees who spoke in favor highlighted the community-engagement process and the goal of equitable facility renewal for neighborhoods that had not yet received modernized school buildings. Several public commenters and principals urged careful attention to transportation, staffing and student safety in any consolidation or rezoning.

The board also received and will incorporate zoning and enrollment work into a subsequent boundary and implementation schedule before any student assignments change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1-28-2025 WCSD Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","Washoe County trustees on Tuesday accepted a consultant'led feasibility study on preK'2 grade configurations and directed the superintendent to implement the recommendation to build new elementary schools at two middle-school sites; the board then voted to initiate a temporary closure of Edward L. (Pine) Middle School to reconstruct the campus as a preK'5 elementary.","taxTitle","WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Nevada","taxId",13428,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363359,"Washoe County trustees hear progress report on strategic plan pillars; district highlights EL supports and attendance work",1724,2643000,4367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5&start=2643&end=4367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5/thumbnail_2643000.jpg","/articles/6363359/Nevada/Washoe-County-trustees-hear-progress-report-on-strategic-plan-pillars-district-highlights-EL-supports-and-attendance-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363359-620afbf839784ab979d83f1cb4b69e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173009&Signature=YVqdtv7vl~xkY2JaiPOE~DPn-6TzeRgk5PM81YIUtE9LLg7a83~dnD9oeoupKDe9kBWUXVZFwJW47cUAnz~~4ty0wxTVOs9eMr5yIaSlt3lkoVgoDKKjdeA9Ck838yoc0GPo~xqtiaxYeZzR8w0Kzxx4tZFLfdHMiybW4ZPpCb8eD8gcEEwmr7UTgnT8RTYenp4VA2jSwRUDAqCEFit0oUJ10BMBYTIZRD5gRocNs9-8iVYQxzqwr5K3A-xrcTu~kyUxx4VzSRDXEmWLsaX-IXIiSz~a2H4~gEZQD4sc~JAeMFI5cwg1MezuJiqZWZMHZwx2pc0hClWgdFl4cTFHWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washoe County School District leaders on Tuesday presented a \"milestones and momentum\" update, describing progress on the district's strategic plan pillars including consistent standards-aligned instruction, early learning and student supports.

\"We want to make sure that all of our students are mastering grade level standards,\" Chief Academic Officer Dr. Troy Parks said as he described Pillar A work on curriculum, instruction and language development supports.

Parks told trustees the district had increased English learner staffing and launched English Language Facilitators (ELFs) at sites so administrators and teachers could embed academic language instruction in every content area. He said principals reported positive feedback: about 80% of principals \"agree or strongly agree\" that an ELF is an asset at their site and about 90% said the site had improved with the ELF model.

The district also described recent curriculum work: a new K'5 math adoption (McGraw Hill) and middle-school materials (Amplify/Desmos), continued implementation of the Science of Reading foundations, and investments in I-Ready diagnostic and instructional tools. A short video with students shown to the board included students saying the program \"fills in the gaps for the students based on the diagnostic\" and that it adjusts lessons to individual levels.

On staffing and retention, Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Owen said the district had reduced certified teacher vacancies from about 4.5% to below 4% over two years and had lowered classified support vacancy rates as well. Owen described steps to streamline recruitment and professional learning, including an expanded substitute training pathway and principal and secretary academies.

Trustees and district leaders stressed chronic absenteeism as a priority. Chief Student and Family Supports Officer Paul LaMarca said the district had expanded parent-teacher home visits to 41 schools (from 25 the prior year) and that about 350 educators conducted roughly 1,200 home visits in the first semester. The district is partnering with community groups and media campaigns to promote attendance.

Trustees commended the work. Trustee Westlake praised school-level initiatives, saying principals were applying consistent strategies while giving each school its own \"flair.\" Trustee Hall highlighted the district's progress on school choice and on giving families more access to preferred schools.

The presentation covered data tools and accountability, including data dashboards and an \"early warning\" report that helps track freshmen at risk of falling off-track. Staff said those dashboards are drillable to teacher and student levels to help school planning.

The board received the report for discussion; no action was taken.","District leaders reviewed progress on the strategic plan's pillars, reporting expanded English learner staffing, new instructional coaching and curriculum adoptions, recruitment gains and targeted work on chronic absenteeism and family outreach.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363364,"Washoe County superintendent proposes academic reorganization to align leadership, supports",865,1516000,2381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5&start=1516&end=2381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5/thumbnail_1516000.jpg","/articles/6363364/Nevada/Washoe-County-superintendent-proposes-academic-reorganization-to-align-leadership-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363364-f9d0a99c1bdb818fbc183fb487b21ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173009&Signature=g92YfbWEkqOkA~ZfOdAaGhCu8WniYW4WCw6nosKNOlbI3zuutCCUk9QGtEQgoy4INkBfE1cp7vOHuyTjNViuzImr6ZUSNCdPyjscYcSCu1zL9oqOd9XchkHNAju03xLcZkTrqAAgPy5guYXQYM28XZapHVOQNI9S6p4RLaPQg17f1hYz2i0lJnWt8M4WPBkZWIeRTk3jXyHomh7bIILg0Yn4R6EA1c5fxrEeyrhtoVIIqIm5r6RCBGDSDb~Z50MgGB0x38DxI-4UYLQ3u0~hMh7kWDQx3Tmjk6Qqw3o~4c3Tk7eCuKarpENM59JMJmmZk4vf8cRy28X9d-Skyg6dkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Joe Ernst on Tuesday presented a plan to realign Washoe County School District's academic leadership for the 2025'26 school year, saying the changes are intended to improve instruction and operational efficiency while aligning the district to its strategic plan.

\"Most importantly, it's about improving the quality of education that we're providing for our students,\" Ernst said as he reviewed the proposed structure and the process used to develop it.

The proposal would retitle some senior positions, reorganize functions under a new deputy superintendent of academics and create clearer lines for elementary, secondary and student development. Key changes described by Ernst include converting an existing, vacant chief accountability officer role into an elementary chief academic officer focused on early learning and reclassifying the associate chief of specialized instruction into a chief academic officer of student development and success, with responsibility for behavior supports and specialized schools. The plan also restores the title \"area superintendent\" for the position that supervises principals at the school-site level.

Ernst told trustees the reorganization was produced after a comprehensive review of organizational capabilities, contract and service duplication, and expected future demands such as the district's Facilities Modernization Plan and a new enterprise resource planning system. He said the changes are intended to improve financial stewardship and long-term sustainability while reclaiming employee time for school-facing work.

Deputy Superintendent Tiffany McMaster and the district's leadership team were cited by Ernst as central to the collaborative design process; he thanked Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Owen, Chief Financial Officer Mark Mathers and other chiefs for their participation. Ernst emphasized the transition would be phased, with formal changes taking effect July 1 and a continued budget review during the FY 2026 budget process.

Ernst said the alignment would be implemented \"with no associated cost\" at the outset and that, by organizing similar services together, the district anticipates savings through streamlined operations. He described further budget analysis and change management work as part of the next steps and told trustees the reorganization is \"the initial phase\" of broader organizational change.

Trustees praised the work as the product of extensive listening and analysis. Trustee Smith called the plan \"a shining example\" of using a long-range plan to respond to community feedback, and Trustee Westlake said the work represented \"intensive self reflection\" to improve service to students and staff.

The reorganization is presented as an initial step; Ernst said future organizational analyses will follow the same design principles and that staff will monitor, evaluate and adjust the structure through the transition period before the effective date.","Superintendent Joe Ernst presented a proposed realignment of the district's academic organization for 2025'26, including new chief and area superintendent roles and shifting functions to strengthen elementary, secondary and specialized instruction without immediate staffing reductions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":92,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363350,"Board approves consent agenda items 2.02'2.12, including charter renewal; vote 7-0",192,1324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5&start=1324&end=1516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166319-2d8da75ef1f8b05f237dd66400ec61c5/thumbnail_1324000.jpg","/articles/6363350/Nevada/Board-approves-consent-agenda-items-202212-including-charter-renewal-vote-7-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363350-63c828de7046d6b8d4241c9f5bb6df7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173009&Signature=J2Z~A8HP1IVrAfB9pTZywIFTTOs6RG~HWmKiMJLaUHiv9b~WZmy5amh-Fy9DbeiAQmCtOP6RQhQr2CPlxRXOmr5Gt4cuKR6bCNeLpmaY5ksHS7ato77tBqqM9w8EB2EI7qvlZF-DyYNAUt-YD76c2wjnU8jOQgBfm8eY--Iz0UmcqhEV-H-mbWjvnzVxNIgHRCubUPgDA6ZI-l~7DNAq9H1Nc7~BaRViucXjR1T8GCalVxaLpKJEFIrxpMtyXK4cIDjm1UglpdkKpFWfdDRDJ-fuSYKLbqWuFlaBKruC8fhmIJ5T9BjeRZ6WquDQoVQHPhH3Tl00sEmpTzU4G-xlPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved consent agenda items 2.02 through 2.12 without debate.

Clerk Woodley moved to approve the consent agenda; Trustee Westlake seconded. After no requests to pull items for separate consideration and no public comment on those items, the board voted in favor. President Smith announced the motion carries 7 to 0.

During the brief discussion before the vote, President Smith noted item 2.04 (state-mandated K'3 teacher ratios) and reminded the public that state-mandated ratios are not fully funded by the state. Vice President Adam Mayberry and Trustee Nicolette called attention to item 2.12, a five-year charter renewal; trustees praised staff for reevaluating the charter materials and highlighted improved absenteeism and reenrollment metrics for that charter between 2022 and 2024.

The board's recorded action on the consent agenda concluded with a unanimous approval.","The board approved consent agenda items 2.02 through 2.12 by a 7'0to'0 voice vote. Trustees called out item 2.04 (teacher ratios) and discussed charter renewal item 2.12; Vice President Mayberry and other trustees thanked staff for added information on the charter renewal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board accepts preK'2 study, directs superintendent to move forward on new elementary at Pine; Pine temporary closure ordered

Washoe County trustees hear progress report on strategic plan pillars; district highlights EL supports and attendance work

Washoe County superintendent proposes academic reorganization to align leadership, supports

Board approves consent agenda items 2.02'2.12, including charter renewal; vote 7-0