[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6262130,"mediaKeyId","3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4","parentId",3115936,"title","District cites smaller declines in chronic absenteeism, growth in home visits and volunteer sign‑ups under goal 3","audioSeconds",257,"startMs",13167000,"endMs",12910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4&start=13167&end=12910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4/thumbnail_13167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262130/Nevada/District-cites-smaller-declines-in-chronic-absenteeism-growth-in-home-visits-and-volunteer-signups-under-goal-3","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262130-6c90fe32da7fc8d61b8abbd1b68c6fd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452837&Signature=U~Q5XhtgyyAvqKqIfWhSCJYhDQEUm9b4r~gXlDtfIY2adPMNFcF17stx8XJvFzl9rAGJPt1x9fGlguQ1pX0VHazzP0aJ400gLbllPJW5oPhpL7iXczLh6fAGOjdlQUH65-ogsN8JVPG26sklID3OZSET~CarYk6KsUEQaOn1j9vVXZg0jzpZ3QoO0BGnSDAl9JdlqbGEjuovSrwNqJkNmkcBr27mbdXBnwfWrqHwNCDCXnt2XwfUdC3poBwHAIPPMtDVkstWhcUve2W886mHIHU3Tl-VWXmdskLb8HdGs1eomi8eDV-fmAYRX1NTnjtAgp4jSxcDgCsZD8bnoSzQVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washoe County School District, NV","date","2025-04-25T00:54:41.99Z","article","Washoe County School District staff on April 22 told the board they are seeing early, measurable progress on Goal 3 (safety and belonging) under the district’s Milestones & Momentum reporting series.

Doctor Laura Davidson, director of research and evaluation, and Delisa Crane, director of family school partnerships, presented gains across several measures: an approximately two‑percentage‑point decline districtwide in chronic absenteeism, a 60% increase in schools participating in the district’s parent‑teacher home visit program (from 25 to 43 schools), and a doubling of educators trained to support home visits. The district also reported an increase in volunteer applications and the upcoming pilot of an online volunteer management system called Raptor.

\"We have 13,000 volunteers already in the system who have been vetted and cleared and are ready to go and have their clearance for the next 5 years,\" Crane said, describing pilot schools for the vendor-based system and the fall districtwide rollout planned with promotional materials and QR‑coded forms for families. School leaders said the online system will streamline background checks, centralize approvals and give front offices real‑time data about who is on campus.

Davidson highlighted research connections between absenteeism and achievement: an analysis done in partnership with Northwestern University showed chronic absenteeism was associated with a 7.4 percentage‑point reduction in math benchmark outcomes and a 4.5 percentage‑point decline in English language arts benchmarks. She also said early‑grade absenteeism (kindergarten) had the largest negative association with reading outcomes, and urged attention to early‑grade attendance.

Trainer Middle School principal Lucy Dugan presented school‑level work that she said cut chronic absenteeism by about 15% and significantly improved climate survey indicators by focused family engagement, weekly positive phone calls, reorganized circulation patterns in the building, installation and repositioning of security cameras to reduce blind spots, and expanded after‑school clubs and attendance supports. Student Deron Greider described the day‑to‑day climate at Trainer: \"There are fewer conflicts between kids because there's more staff to talk to and the rules are more clearer,\" he told trustees.

Staff said the district had developed seven new or expanded data tools to help schools track absenteeism and climate in more actionable ways, including consecutive‑days‑absent alerts and school dashboards that update daily. Research staff also said the district is piloting early‑warning systems in younger grades so interventions can start earlier.

Trustees praised the interdepartmental effort and said they want to see continued outreach to families and expanded volunteer opportunities in support of students. Staff said they will return with more detailed reports and recommended next steps for sustaining gains.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-22-2025 WCSD Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","District research and family‑engagement staff reported small but measurable improvements in attendance and school climate tied to Goal 3 (safety and belonging): nearly a two‑point decline in chronic absenteeism, a 60% increase in schools using the parent‑teacher home‑visit program and plans to roll out an online volunteer management system.","taxTitle","Events, School Districts, Nevada","taxId",80332,"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},6262134,"District reports midyear results from ‘Phone Away, Learn Today’ pilot; staff largely supportive, perception gap with students persists",147,11071000,11218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4&start=11071&end=11218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4/thumbnail_11071000.jpg","/articles/6262134/Nevada/District-reports-midyear-results-from-Phone-Away-Learn-Today-pilot-staff-largely-supportive-perception-gap-with-students-persists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262134-b764569d8ef2ab1db5895d9882aadb04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452837&Signature=mJUTb-SEbaZ4lJhgPG4st9Pl5GSwR7jk2utIYYloNBBTdbB7Ww7V5Qx-X9FVeAq3GjHV7871G8d77vYLxiUZi6cA-75d7ldvYlNChzTlJQ1yE-lOS~ZfpyFCnC1RzKXanIpUjxHQ1qnhQCDiTjMk9GP55Onnm51d0Ru5UFUosrqrMYZ9z9a~-d-LilxL0~CSamKoc2LikcZ7WW4a0AH-9yppd5qQWEy0EAn01WkHZgBJvzx3pk1f6PjzwKMGPmYjeJ6CPXKSY-iCWkz6BaBr24jiWMCUO1mlhdM0v2EyuMGeK3qOXHFtUm8Rzyq3NKIZboxCSfV-JBDaTGK6webyqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washoe County School District staff reported midyear findings on the Phone Away, Learn Today pilot on April 22, saying early outcomes indicate positive classroom impacts but also a large perceptual gap between students and staff about the role of cell phones in learning.

\"Ninety-three percent of high school students agree that cell phones can be a useful tool to help students learn,\" said Laura Davidson, director of research and evaluation, summarizing pre-launch perception data the district collected. By contrast, Davidson said substantially higher shares of staff identified phones as a distraction: \"Only a third of our high school students thought [phones were a distraction], compared to 90% of high school staff.\" Davidson and principals warned that the perception gap complicates enforcement and called for additional teacher supports.

District staff described implementation steps taken since the pilot launched in January: a regulation establishing expectations, a communications toolkit, front-office training, classroom social-emotional-learning lessons to introduce the policy to students, and ordering storage \"phone units\" for sites. Campuses used different local practices — locked pouches, teacher discretion, or assigned cubbies — and the district emphasized that consistency through monitoring and principal calibration is needed.

A March staff survey of 456 certified staff and 15 principals showed 87% of respondents who noticed a change described the pilot's impact as positive or very positive. \"About 64% of staff said it reduced cell phone use during instructional time,\" Davidson said. But only 42% of staff rated it easy for students to follow the new rules, and 57% said enforcement was easy or very easy — signs training and walk‑through monitoring are needed.

Nicole Vasquez, volunteer services lead, who works with schools on volunteer and front-office operations, said she has observed large, positive changes in classrooms during the pilot: \"I'm walking into classrooms and I'm seeing that there's, like, absolutely no phones out at all… I think they are a big distraction though. They are a huge distraction.\" Vasquez spoke from school visits and site monitoring.

Student focus groups — some led by trained students — reinforced the complexity. Students want rules, they said, but many want access to phones for safety and family communication. Schools reported middle schools already had relatively strict phone practices while high schools began the pilot from a looser baseline; principals asked for guidance on how to phase enforcement for freshmen and sophomores.

District administrators said next steps include a summer planning cycle to complete teacher professional development, strengthen classroom monitoring tools (walk‑through forms and tech checks), coordinate parent outreach via Parent University, and update regulations if newly enacted state law (AB 444) requires changes.

Superintendent Joe Ernst and board members praised the broad stakeholder process and asked staff to report back in June with year‑end behavior data and a recommended plan for full implementation in 2025–26.

What the data shows (selected points staff cited)
- Pre-launch perception gap: high school students largely view phones as useful; staff view phones as disruptive.
- Staff response (March): 87% of staff who saw an impact rated the pilot positive; 64% said phone use during instruction declined.
- Implementation: elementary sites reported little change (few students have phones); middle schools generally tighter pre‑pilot; high schools face the most change management.

Board members and staff agreed that sustaining gains will require teacher training, calibrated administrative monitoring, attention to device readiness (teachers reported slow device boot times in some classrooms), and clearer, consistent communications to families.","District staff told trustees that early evidence from the Phone Away, Learn Today pilot shows reduced in‑class phone use and positive staff feedback, but a large perception gap remains between students (who often view phones as useful) and staff (who view phones as a major classroom distraction).",{"_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},6262140,"Board approves reclassification of district office roles and zoning changes; several consent items passed",9352,553000,9905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4&start=553&end=9905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115936-d029e2f4c2e98b4572ce51480467e1d4/thumbnail_553000.jpg","/articles/6262140/Nevada/Board-approves-reclassification-of-district-office-roles-and-zoning-changes-several-consent-items-passed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262140-10c5f3ce4c97077bba2a9851cfdce908/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452837&Signature=F-9j7SFMDxiZZixWb25kDcIugCJbehCXGkRULsrYEXaKs2KDsbAD3f39yD389xyqufiSv5OyBVxve~Ct5aEieiZrAmZDouytEC0yrPznOAITPutdNatbCCqW~qRK~80-z3FL-LL0ogTQITViD9hM70dblf2XnN8xLPAJWFT4KfOfNmABTZj-0lgBjgeodYsNUn4ZOZEHqeUvI4VtaTfv7ASDcGaPkhK3Kjs64vrDYZrTGic7JW8CYlWdxn3FO0BASoOUXABeo2XfTzWxzKI9fW4lQPcCMV3~v-sYhsYNMsv4edbqCJBT-uHiiCcwwiRCDl3iAYLWmJ~0gDdWWyuv7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washoe County School District board of trustees on April 22 approved two major personnel and facilities items and cleared several consent agenda items in unanimous votes.

The board voted 7-0 to reclassify certain professional district office positions so they may join the Washoe Professional Technical Association (WPTA). Trustee Hull moved the motion and Clerk Woodley seconded; the motion carried 7–0. Board members and staff said the change removes an administrator endorsement requirement for affected jobs while maintaining experience and, in many cases, a teaching license as a qualification. HR chief Doug Owen told the board the District will continue to require relevant experience and, in some roles, a teaching license even after the reclassification.

The board also approved zoning boundary changes recommended by the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) to account for the construction of a new E. Otis Vaughn Middle School, effective for the 2026–27 school year. President Smith moved the motion to adopt ZAC options 4A and H2; Trustee Hull seconded. The motion passed unanimously. ZAC chair Tyler Rogers and Facilities chief Tammy Zimmerman briefed trustees on community meetings, nine drawn options, and the committee’s rationale. Public commenters, PTA leaders and student leaders urged trustees to protect neighborhood ties, limit long bus rides for young children, and preserve access to elective programs.

The board also approved its consent agenda items for the meeting (items 2.02 and 2.04–2.10) by voice vote, 7–0. Those consent approvals included routine quarterly reporting items that brought forward the district’s regular business for board confirmation.

Board members emphasized that both the personnel reclassification and the zoning decisions came after extended staff and community work. Several trustees urged continued attention to job descriptions and transitions for affected employees and to transportation logistics for rezoned families.

Votes at a glance
- Item 2.02 and items 2.04–2.10 (consent agenda): Approved by voice vote, 7–0.
- Item 2.03 (reclassification; inclusion of specified non-administrative district office positions into WPTA bargaining unit): Motion by Trustee Hull; second by Clerk Woodley; adopted 7–0. The staff report referenced Nevada Revised Statute NRS 288.1701 and an MOU with the WPTA.
- Item 3.05 (Zoning Advisory Committee recommendation; adoption of options 4A and H2 to adjust elementary and middle school attendance boundaries for the new E. Otis Vaughn MS): Motion by President Smith; second by Trustee Hull; adopted unanimously, 7–0.

Board direction and next steps
Trustees asked staff to continue refining job descriptions for positions affected by the WPTA inclusion, ensure supportive transition steps for employees currently under contract through June 30, and to work with human resources and bargaining units on implementation details. On zoning, trustees directed facilities and transportation to review bus routing and travel times for rezoned students and to return with follow-up school-assignment communications for families.

The unanimous votes closed both items and allowed staff to begin implementation planning on the personnel and zoning changes.","The Washoe County School District board approved a reclassification that moves certain district office positions into the Washoe Professional Technical Association bargaining unit and adopted zoning changes to accommodate the new E. Otis Vaughn Middle School; both votes passed unanimously amid public comment and committee deliberations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District cites smaller declines in chronic absenteeism, growth in home visits and volunteer sign‑ups under goal 3

District reports midyear results from ‘Phone Away, Learn Today’ pilot; staff largely supportive, perception gap with students persists

Board approves reclassification of district office roles and zoning changes; several consent items passed