Beth Dorey, a longtime nearby homeowner, told the Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board on Dec. 2 that she and other neighbors were surprised and alarmed to learn the Washoe County School District plans to close Veterans Memorial School earlier than previously scheduled. Dorey said the school serves mostly Hispanic students and that closing it would disrupt families; she urged the district and the board to consider a reuse that honors the site’s veterans history rather than a dense housing conversion.

Why it matters: The closure of a neighborhood school can affect student assignment, transportation, neighborhood cohesion and the future of publicly owned land; the issue raised questions about equity, language-accessible communication and historic preservation.

What was said: Dorey said taxpayers had invested more than $3 million in upgrades since 2021 and noted Veterans Memorial is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, calling for collaboration with veterans groups and elected representatives on a preservation-minded reuse. She also alleged family members avoid public protest because of immigration concerns and criticized what she termed “bogus PR talking points” from the district.

Board response: Board members repeatedly raised communication problems; several members asked staff to invite Washoe County School District representatives to attend a future NAB meeting to answer questions about repurposing plans, timeline and outreach to non-English-speaking households. Some members framed the closure as squarely a district decision while acknowledging redevelopment plans are relevant to NAB land-use input.

What the district has said (as recorded in meeting materials): The board did not hear a school-district presentation because the district representative could not attend the meeting. Staff told the board the district’s facility modernization plan lists several closures and potential repurposing options; staff and members recommended the district provide clearer translation and outreach to affected families.

Next steps: Board members asked staff to invite Washoe County School District staff to a future meeting. The NAB did not take a formal position; the issue will be continued when the district can present.

Quote: "For this neighborhood, it is a community loss," Beth Dorey said, urging preservation-oriented repurposing.

Ending: The board closed discussion for the evening but directed staff to follow up with district outreach and scheduled the item to return when district representatives can attend.