Board accepts midyear evaluation check and selects five targets for superintendent's 2025'26 evaluation

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees accepted a midyear performance report for Superintendent Joe Ernst on Feb. 11 and then chose five targeted goals to frame the superintendent's 2025'26 evaluation.

The midyear check followed the district's Balanced Governance evaluation framework. Dr. Thomas Alsbury of Balanced Governance Solutions walked trustees through the evaluation cycle and described the midyear check as a formative, "informal process" designed to let the superintendent and the board assess progress, account for major disruptions and adjust focus where needed. Deputy Chief General Counsel Sarah Montalvo reminded trustees that public comment and discussion must remain limited to the publicly noticed targets.

Superintendent Ernst walked the board through the district's progress on six targets the board previously adopted for 2024'25. Ernst highlighted gains in K'5 literacy after LETRS training and the use of I-Ready diagnostics, expansion of co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities (the district reported creation of roughly 195 new clubs and an increase in student participation to about 44 percent in middle/high activities), growth in dual-credit access and other indicators of progress. On the record he framed those gains as the result of districtwide implementation and principal leadership and noted improvements in staff climate and student safety measures.

The board then formally accepted the midyear update by motion; the vote to accept was 7''to''0.

Selecting next-year evaluation focuses: Alsbury led trustees through a structured selection process to narrow the district's strategic targets for the superintendent's 2025'26 evaluation. Trustees individually scored the strategic targets and the board compiled averages. The process produced a short list of highly ranked targets; trustees then moved to adopt a final set.

The board approved the following five targets for the 2025'26 superintendent evaluation: - Strong Start for Every Child (Target 2): implement and align P3 strategy and expand early-learning and PK'1 pathways. - Improved Student Safety (Safety & Belonging Target 9): continued safety investments, single-point-of-entry work, Syntegix use and assault reduction initiatives. - Recruitment, Retention and Advancement Pathways (Academic Growth & Achievement Target 8): strengthen hiring, retention and career pathways for staff. - Increased Participation and Access (Safe & Welcoming Schools Target 1): expand extracurricular/co-curricular participation and volunteer access. - Student Voice and Advocacy (Target 1): expand access and student advisory structures and student-led engagement.

Trustees discussed the process publicly and then voted to approve the selected goals as the basis for the superintendent's 2025'26 evaluation; the motion to adopt the goals carried 7''to''0.

Why it matters: the Balanced Governance evaluation process emphasizes targeted, measurable goals and midpoint check-ins so the superintendent can focus operational activity and budget planning to support prioritized outcomes. Trustees said that picking next-year targets now helps shape budgeting and staffing decisions before the July fiscal year start.

Ending: Alsbury and counsel said the board will follow the evaluation timeline (final ratings compiled in the fall after all data are available) and that the board will return to the public record with the superintendent's final evaluation once student-achievement and other year-end data are in.