Board accepts preK–8 feasibility study and directs temporary closure of Pine campus for new elementary; Trainer campus to follow later

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees accepted a preK–8 feasibility study on Jan. 28 and gave direction to proceed with new elementary facilities on middle‑school campuses identified in the district’s 2023 Facilities Modernization Plan.

The study, prepared after stakeholder task‑force work and outreach, tested whether the district should adopt preK–8 configuration or retain separate elementary (preK–5) and middle (6–8) schools on the Pine and Trainer campuses. Paul Mills of Canon Design and Chief Operating Officer Adam Searcy presented findings that a preK–8 model can work in some settings but — based on local community feedback, staffing implications and cost tradeoffs — the task force recommended proceeding with new preK–5 elementary schools on the Pine and Trainer campuses rather than immediate conversion to preK–8.

Key findings presented to the board included: - PreK–8 configurations have merit in other districts but require larger grade‑cohort scale, different staffing models and can carry increased operating costs when designed to ensure equity and program breadth. Canon’s review found that doing a preK–8 “done right” would require additional staffing and associated cost. - Community focus groups for Pine (Smithridge/Dodson area) and Trainer (Duncan/Lemelson area) expressed safety and instructional concerns about placing younger students and middle‑school students under a single roof; community receptiveness for immediate preK–8 conversion was limited. - The recommended path retains the district’s K–5 / 6–8 configuration and proceeds with reconstruction plans to build new elementary schools on identified middle‑school campuses; the study includes design guidance that would leave options open for future additions if configuration choices change.

Principal Mike Dixon (Smithridge) and multiple community members spoke during public comment, raising concerns about instruction, school size, and safety should elementary and middle school students share a campus.

Board action and timeline - The board voted to accept the preK–8 study and directed the superintendent to implement the recommendations. Mover: Trustee Hall; Second: Trustee Westlake; outcome: motion carried (voice vote reported as carried in meeting record). (Provenance: study presentation; community meetings cited.) - The board separately authorized the superintendent to initiate the temporary closure of Edward (Pine) Middle School for reconstruction at the start of the 2026–27 school year, with the expectation that the new elementary would open in fall 2028. Vice President Adam Mayberry moved the closure direction; Trustee JJ Phoenix seconded; the motion passed 7–0.

District staff explained sequencing: Pine campus reconstruction depends on completing Vaughn Middle School and other enabling projects; Searcy said vacating Pine would align with the opening of Vaughn so students can be accommodated, and that reconstruction would take about two full school years (target opening of the new elementary in fall 2028). Trainer campus work was presented as a later phase (estimates in the 2029+ range depending on enabling work and zoning). Transportation impacts (e.g., walk‑zone changes and potential additional routes) will be considered by the district’s Zoning Advisory Committee and in subsequent boundary work.

Trustees and staff stressed community engagement during the design and boundary planning phases and suggested involving naming and enrollment advisory processes so affected neighborhoods can contribute to school design and identity.

Votes at a glance - Accept preK–8 study and direct superintendent to implement recommendations: Mover – Trustee Hall; Second – Trustee Westlake; outcome – motion carried (voice vote recorded in meeting minutes; explicit tally not specified in transcript). - Direct superintendent to initiate temporary closure of Edward (Pine) Middle School in accordance with Administrative Regulation 7087 beginning of 2026–27 school year (to reconstruct a preK–5 facility): Mover – Vice President Adam Mayberry; Second – Trustee JJ Phoenix; outcome – approved 7–0.

The board’s action begins a multi‑year phasing and community engagement process; the district will present detailed boundary and design steps in future agenda items and through the zoning advisory committee.