Board approves $99.5 million for Reed High modernization, moves to sell $100 million in bonds

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees voted 7–0 on Feb. 11 to approve $99,500,000 in capital funding for two projects and, in a separate vote, authorized a bond resolution to sell up to $100,000,000 in general‑obligation school improvement bonds.

The funding package approved by the board covers construction‑phase work for the Edward C. Reed High School modernization and design‑phase work for a new elementary school on the Edward L. Pine Middle School campus. The board later approved a separate resolution, also 7–0, authorizing officers to proceed with issuance of the district’s Series 2025A bonds backed by WC‑1 sales tax revenues.

Chief Facilities Management Officer Tammy Zimmerman told trustees the district is asking for $12,000,000 in design phase funds for the Pine campus elementary project (staff estimate about $9.7 million), part of a broader facilities modernization plan. Zimmerman described plans to assess the existing building and potentially reuse its steel structure, to commission a conceptual design, and to solicit a construction manager at risk (CMAR). If approved, the district expects to begin site and building assessments in February 2025, solicit a CMAR in March 2025, proceed with design through July 2026 and begin phased construction in fall 2026 so students can occupy portions in fall 2026 and complete the project in fall 2027.

For Edward C. Reed High School, Zimmerman said the project will add roughly 70,000 square feet to bring students in from temporary modular classrooms, add a band room and other academic spaces, improve athletic facilities, add a single point of entry and upgraded security systems, and replace roofing and HVAC systems that have outlived their useful life. The district has already authorized early procurement items for that project and plans to put the remainder to CMAR bid in March 2025 with construction phases starting in June 2025. Zimmerman said the district is budgeting contingency funds (a 2.5% contractor contingency and a 5% district contingency) and listed several prioritized alternates the district may add during construction.

Chief Financial Officer Mark Mathers presented the separate bond resolution authorizing up to $100,000,000 in general‑obligation, limited‑tax, school improvement bonds (Series 2025A), to be additionally secured by pledged WC‑1 sales tax revenues. Mathers noted the district’s strong reserves and said rating agency action that week upgraded the district’s debt rating to a mid ‘‘AA’’ level, which is expected to lower borrowing costs.

The formal roll calls showed unanimous support. Trustee Adam Mayberry moved the $99,500,000 funding motion and Clerk Woodley seconded it; Trustee Carlene Westlake moved the bond resolution and Clerk Woodley seconded that motion. Both measures passed 7–0.

Trustees and staff repeatedly emphasized community engagement during design and the need to keep zoning or attendance boundary decisions separate from the design funding vote. Trustee Christine Hall asked staff to be clear in public communications that no final school boundary or zoning decisions had been made and to continue outreach to communities potentially affected by the Pine campus plan.

The district included line‑item estimates in the presentation: a $2,000,000 conceptual design placeholder, an ask of $12,000,000 for full design-phase activities for the Pine campus (with potential savings rolled into construction), and a request of $99,500,000 overall for the two projects. Zimmerman said the district will prioritize alternates identified in the CMAR proposal if the budget allows.

Next steps: the district intends to issue the bond (Series 2025A) after the board’s resolution and proceed with design procurements and CMAR selection as outlined in the presentation.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve funding of $99,500,000 for the 2024–25 D major projects program covering construction for Edward C. Reed High School modernization and design funding for a new elementary school at the Edward L. Pine Middle School campus (as recommended by the Capital Funding Protection Committee). Mover: Vice President Adam Mayberry. Second: Clerk Woodley. Vote: 7–0 (approved). - Motion: Adopt Washoe County School District Board Resolution 25‑004 (Series 2025A) authorizing issuance of up to $100,000,000 in general obligation, limited‑tax, school improvement bonds. Mover: Trustee Carlene Westlake. Second: Clerk Woodley. Vote: 7–0 (approved).

Ending: Zimmerman and district staff said they will continue community meetings and work with the city on site constraints as the projects move into the design and procurement phases. The board did not make any attendance‑boundary or rezoning decisions as part of the funding vote; trustees asked that those topics be handled in future public hearings with additional community outreach.