The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees voted 6-0 Wednesday to appoint James J. Phoenix to the District C seat, filling a vacancy through Jan. 4, 2027.

The appointment followed a public special meeting in which trustees interviewed four legally qualified applicants — Jason Bushey, Felipe Escamilla, Marcus Hodges and James Phoenix — under Nevada Revised Statutes cited on the agenda (NRS 241.031 and NRS 241.033). Vice President Adam Mayberry moved to appoint Phoenix under NRS 386.270; Trustee Diane Nicolette seconded the motion. The board recorded the motion as carrying 6 to 0.

The interviews included opening statements, six questions posed by trustees, and time for public comment. Phoenix introduced himself as a community member and military veteran with long local ties, saying, “I am a product of Washoe County.” Board President Beth Smith praised the pool of finalists during discussion, calling them “among the most talented groups of finalists that I have ever seen.”

Before taking the vote, trustees privately ranked the four finalists: the tally released before the motion showed Jason Bushey 2 points, Felipe Escamilla 11 points, Marcus Hodges 8 points and James Phoenix 15 points (ranking distributed by the six trustees with 3/2/1 points each). Following the announced totals, Vice President Mayberry offered the motion to appoint Phoenix under the cited statute, and Trustee Nicolette seconded it. The roll-call-style announcement recorded the motion as approved 6-0.

Trustees explained the process earlier in the meeting: candidates were interviewed one at a time following a random draw, with the remaining finalists sequestered between interviews to ensure fairness. Trustees also told the public that they would read and consider emails submitted during the 24 hours before the meeting and those received during the session. The board confirmed after a recess that it had read every email submitted up to that point.

Phoenix was sworn into office immediately following the board vote and took the oath at the dais. The board noted that, under the process they described earlier in the meeting, a candidate who secures four or more trustee votes is sworn in at the meeting and may later participate in a ceremonial swearing-in at a subsequent meeting.

Public commenters who spoke in person during the meeting expressed a range of views. Nancy Podwellis Baba said she had been “leaning toward James because of his experience and his willingness to go and really listen to all of the stakeholders.” Other commenters addressed broader district topics during public comment, including calls to emphasize civic education and criticisms of certain district practices; the board acknowledged and summarized the written public comments submitted by email.

The appointee will serve the remainder of the term ending midnight Jan. 4, 2027, unless superseded by later action. The board closed the meeting and noted additional regularly scheduled business later the same day.