Washoe County School District reelects leadership, approves Stead Elementary relocation and consent agenda

On Jan. 14 the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to keep Beth Smith as board president, elected Adam Mayberry vice president and selected Alex Woodley as clerk, approved the consent agenda and authorized a change of location and change of use for Stead Elementary School.

The results came during the board’s annual reorganization at the district’s regular meeting in Reno. Trustees conducted nominations, heard public comment and then held formal votes. Each contested leadership item passed 7–0.

The reorganization followed a ceremonial swearing-in earlier in the meeting for trustees elected in 2024. After nominations and public comment, trustees proceeded to formal motions and votes. Trustee roll call at the start of the meeting showed a quorum present: Trustees Christine Hall, Adam Mayberry, Diane Nicolette, JJ Phoenix, Beth Smith, Colleen Westlake and Alex Woodley.

Nut Graf: The leadership votes set the governance team that will guide the district through 2025 decisions on budget priorities, school safety upgrades and the facility modernization program. The Stead Elementary vote authorizes staff to proceed with the site move and repurpose planning for the existing building, a change district leaders say addresses overcrowding and access in the North Valleys.

Board actions and outcomes

- President: Beth Smith was selected to continue as president. The board recorded the motion and carried it 7–0. Several members and multiple public speakers including community members Marie Rodriguez and teachers expressed support for Smith’s leadership during public comment.

- Vice president: Adam Mayberry was selected by the board to serve as vice president, carried 7–0.

- Clerk: Alex Woodley was selected to serve as clerk of the board, carried 7–0.

- Consent agenda: The board approved consent agenda items 3.02 through 3.18 (routine contracts, personnel and finance items) by voice vote, carried 7–0.

- Stead Elementary: The board approved the proposed change of location and change of use for Stead Elementary School “in accordance with administrative regulation 7087 and Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 393,” carried 7–0. Tammy Zimmerman, the district’s chief facilities management officer, told trustees the new school site sits about a half‑mile south of the existing building and is intended to place the campus in a safer, more walkable position for students. Zimmerman said the existing Stead Boulevard facility would be repurposed for district or community partner use and that staff were engaging the City of Reno on those options.

Discussion and context

Public comment at the nominations stage included repeated endorsements for existing board leadership from teachers, school principals and union representatives who credited the trustees with pushing for staffing and safety improvements. Trustee comments during deliberations emphasized the board’s stewardship role; President Smith said she viewed the office as one of service to colleagues and the community.

Trustee Diane Nicolette disclosed a potential conflict of interest on agenda item 3.06 under NRS 281A.420: she said her daughter‑in‑law is employed by Sierra Nevada Construction but that the relationship would not affect her independent judgment, and she indicated she would vote.

What the votes mean next

With the leadership positions set, the board will continue scheduled policy and budget work. The Stead Elementary relocation clears one administrative step so facilities staff can move forward with construction of the new campus and planning for repurposing the old site; Zimmerman said outreach and zoning processes required by district regulation and state law had been completed.

Ending: The board adjourned the reorganization items and moved into the meeting’s presentation agenda, noting the unanimous votes as it advanced to safety, programming and other district business.