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Board approves change of use for four elementary sites as part of facility modernization plan
Summary
Trustees approved repurposing Roger Corbett and Veterans Memorial elementary schools (effective 2027-28) and Edwin S. Dodson and Smithridge elementary schools (effective 2028-29) to support the district's facility modernization plan; staff emphasized planning and community engagement and received public comment about preserving a greenhouse and orchard at Corbett.
The Washoe County School District board voted Nov. 18 to approve change-of-use requests for four elementary-school properties to carry out the district's facility modernization plan.
Chief Facilities Management Officer Tammy Zimmerman presented the requests under Administrative Regulation 7087 and NRS Chapter 393. The board approved: Roger Corbett Elementary School and Veterans Memorial Elementary School to change use effective in the 2027-28 school year, and Edwin S. Dodson Elementary School and Smithridge Elementary School effective in 2028-29. Zimmerman said the changes follow the facility modernization and adjacent-site rebuild timelines and will allow staff to begin repurposing work consistent with board policy and community needs.
Principal Joseph Pazar of Roger Corbett spoke during public comment, saying he supports the broader planning but noted that Corbett has regained instructional momentum (reduced chronic absenteeism and reading-growth gains) and pledged to make the upcoming year's instruction the school's best. Community members (Connie Silvera and Paul Hollis) urged the district to preserve and maintain the Corbett greenhouse and adjacent orchard, supplied estimates that maintenance could be feasible at modest cost, and asked for a district meeting to discuss options.
Vice President Mayberry moved the change-of-use motion; Clerk Woodley seconded. The motion carried 7-0. Trustees asked staff to consider internal district needs (for example, JROTC or robotics program space) and external community uses (early-childhood care, veteran services) when evaluating repurposing plans; staff said they would coordinate with the board on community engagement steps.
Next steps: Facilities staff will begin planning repurposing work and community outreach in alignment with the facility modernization plan and administrative regulation provisions, and will keep trustees informed as plans develop.
(Reporting provenance: Item 3.07 presentation, public comment, and motion: Washoe County School District Board meeting, SEG 3420 ' SEG 3691.)
