Washoe trustees approve two-year contract with principals association including 2% COLA for 2026

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a two-year tentative agreement with the Washoe School Principals Association (WESPA) on Aug. 26, 2025, covering the period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027.

District General Counsel Kevin Pickham and Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Owen presented the agreement to the board, and Colby Riordan, president of WESPA, addressed trustees before the vote.

The agreement includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) retroactive to July 1, 2025 for fiscal year 2026. The contract also provides for a second 2% COLA in fiscal year 2027, subject to guardrails tied to general fund revenue: if general fund revenues increase by 5% or more, compensation negotiations would reopen; if revenues rise by 4%, the 2% COLA would apply; if revenues rise by less than 4% the unit would receive half of the general fund revenue increase (for example, a 3% revenue increase would yield a 1.5% COLA), with a 0% floor.

Pickham told the board the bargaining process was “enormously positive and collaborative,” and Riordan said the outcome reflected “many hours of discussion, careful listening and problem solving” that she said will help administrators “lead with confidence” in Washoe County schools.

Chief Owen described contract language changes that restructure administrator salary schedules (including an added schedule to incorporate deans), remove step “dead zones” so members reach maximum pay sooner, and tie longevity payments to any COLA percent the unit receives. The agreement also clarifies leave categories by combining several leave types into a consolidated vacation/discretionary-time-off system, increases discretionary-time allowances, expands the district’s isolation allowance (previously for specific locations) to include Incline for qualified staff who live outside the school zone, clarifies processes for discipline, grievance, overage and reduction-in-force, and removes an infrequently used mileage reimbursement provision.

No public comments were submitted on the item. Vice President Adam Mayberry moved approval; Trustee Nicollet seconded. The motion carried 7–0.

The board invited WESPA leaders and negotiating team members to a photograph after the vote.

What the board decided will now govern compensation and several administrative working conditions for approximately the 103 principals, 83 assistant principals, 92 deans, 33 central office licensed administrators and other licensed administrators represented in the unit, according to the district’s presentation.

Trustees and district staff emphasized the agreement’s intent to increase retention, clarify administrator roles and accelerate step progression; the contract text will control exact implementation details and timelines for retroactive pay and other administrative changes.