Board accepts midyear check on superintendent targets and adopts five priorities for 2025–26 evaluation

The Washoe County School District board on Feb. 11 accepted a midyear status update on superintendent performance targets and then, following public and internal discussion, selected five performance targets that will form the core of Superintendent Joe Ernst’s 2025–26 evaluation.

Balanced Governance Solutions founder Thomas Alsbury briefed the board on the evaluation framework that links superintendent goals to district strategic targets and described the midyear check as an informal tool for adjustments and feedback. "This is intended to be a completely informal process," Alsbury said, explaining that midyear reviews let the superintendent and board identify changed circumstances before the final evaluation.

Ernst delivered the midyear report and highlighted progress across the six board‑selected targets. He pointed to district‑level results the administration described as early evidence of progress: i‑Ready reading proficiency rose from roughly 25% (end‑of‑year benchmark, fall diagnostics) to 43% at midyear on the district’s measures; phonics and phonemic awareness training (LETRS) had reached 425 teachers and administrators with nearly half of kindergarten teachers trained; the district reported creation of about 195 new extracurricular clubs (approximately 300 total clubs/activities) and said 44% of middle and high school students are now participating in extracurriculars; family engagement efforts grew from 25 schools doing parent‑teacher home visits to 41 schools; and the district reported a major reduction in teacher vacancies compared with the prior year (reporting elimination of roughly 140 vacancies down to 12 at the start of the school year in the most recent cycle).

"I think our principals were very pleased, knowing that their leadership is helping us achieve these various targets," Superintendent Joe Ernst said as he reviewed milestones and next steps.

After brief public comment (no cards), the board voted 7–0 to accept the midyear update on the superintendent’s six targets. Clerk Woodley moved the acceptance and Trustee Christine Hall seconded.

The board then followed the process explained by Alsbury to pick the focused performance targets for next year’s evaluation. Trustees individually ranked the district’s strategic targets; staff compiled averages and trustees used that ranking to narrow choices. Trustees ultimately voted to include five priorities in the evaluation package the board will use for 2025–26: - Strong start for every child — implement and align P–3 strategy (identified as Target 2 in staff materials) - Improved student safety — facilities and operational safety measures (Target 9) - Strengthen recruitment, retention and advancement pathways for WCSD staff (Target 8) - Safe and welcoming schools — increase participation and access (Safe/Welcome category, Target 1) - Student voice and advocacy — expand access and student engagement (Student Voice category, Target 1)

The board approved a motion to adopt the goals and objectives for the 2025–26 superintendent evaluation by a 7–0 vote; Trustee Christine Hall moved the motion and Vice President Adam Mayberry seconded.

Alsbury and Deputy Chief General Counsel Sarah Montalvo walked trustees through the remainder of the evaluation timeline: trustees will receive full data sets after summer testing, complete individual ratings in September, and the final superintendent evaluation report will be compiled in the fall when complete student achievement and other performance data are available.

Ending: Trustees said the midyear check and the goal‑setting process reinforced the board’s focus on strategic, measurable results tied to student outcomes. The board’s selected targets set the priorities staff will emphasize in the 2025–26 school year and will guide the superintendent’s evaluation process.