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State Board names six superintendent finalists, sets in‑person interviews for Aug. 28–29
Summary
The Nevada State Board of Education voted to advance six candidates to the interview stage of the state superintendent search, approved a performance task and interview rubric and set August 28–29 for public, in‑person interviews with follow‑up and scoring rules.
The Nevada State Board of Education voted July 11 to advance six applicants to the interview stage of its search for state superintendent of public instruction and to set the interview schedule and format. The board also approved the performance task finalists will complete before interviews and the rubric that will be used to score candidates.
Board members said they wanted interviews held in person so the public and board could evaluate finalists directly. The board scheduled the interviews for Thursday and Friday, Aug. 28–29, with deliberations and selection of three names to forward to the governor to follow immediately after the last interview. The board directed NDE staff to notify the finalists and to publish the interview schedule and materials.
Board members approved using “Performance Task 3” — a systems‑level initiative design prompt — as the formal performance task for finalists, and added two required elements to the prompt: considerations related to diverse student and community needs and budgetary considerations for proposed initiatives. Members said they chose that task because it better tests candidates’ strategic thinking, implementation planning and resource understanding than an additional vision statement request.
The board approved a set of interview questions across seven domains and the associated scoring rubric. The chair and vice chair were authorized to finalize question wording with department staff so questions are concise and consistent. Candidates will submit performance‑task materials in advance and will present a 15‑minute performance task; board members will have a limited follow‑up period at the end of each candidate’s interview. The board established the following timing rules for interviews: a 15‑minute performance task presentation, a short scoring window after the presentation, then the interview questions; all clarifying or follow‑up questions will be asked at the end of the interview with a maximum of four follow‑up items per candidate and a strict time cap.
Board members debated whether finalists should have recent classroom experience and whether the board should require such a background; they did not set a formal qualification on that point. Members repeatedly stressed the board wants evidence during interviews of how candidates’ prior experiences would inform work in diverse Nevada districts.
The board also resolved candidates should appear in person for interviews. Members voted to require in‑person attendance while allowing staff to honor reasonable scheduling conflicts when possible; the board’s counsel advised that, under the motion adopted, a candidate unable to appear in person could forfeit the interview unless the board later agreed to a different accommodation.
What’s next: NDE will notify the six finalists and publish interview logistics and instructions. The board will conduct the interviews publicly on Aug. 28–29 and will deliberate in public immediately afterward to select three finalists to forward to the governor.
