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

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— 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—29 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.