The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees approved the Capital Funding Protection Committee’s recommendation on Jan. 13 to allocate $21,900,000 for major projects that include construction funding for Virginia Palmer Elementary modernization and design funding for Libby Booth Elementary School.

Chief Operating Officer Adam Searcy presented both projects. For Palmer, the modernization includes a roughly 14,000‑square‑foot addition, CCTV upgrades, secure vestibules, outdoor learning spaces and a STEAM lab; staff recommended delivering the project through a construction‑manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) process because of live‑campus complexity and design unknowns. Searcy said the budget is a programmatic authorization and that specific construction contracts and services will be brought to the board for approval at or below the budget thresholds.

For Libby Booth, staff proposed targeted interior and outdoor improvements—media center/STEAM lab, shade structures and mini soccer pitches—while minimizing investments that would conflict with a planned full reconstruction in several years. The board and staff discussed playground access during construction, HVAC upgrades (Searcy said many systems had received prior upgrades), and a commitment to use construction projects as STEM engagement opportunities.

Public commenters thanked the district for Spanish translation of zoning materials and requested expanded outreach in historically underserved neighborhoods. Trustee JJ Phoenix moved to approve the $21.9 million program; Vice President Alex Woodley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.