Washoe County School District outlines growth plan for internships and proclaims CTE month

The Washoe County School District on Jan. 27 outlined a plan to expand credit-bearing internships and work-based learning as part of its career and technical education (CTE) strategy, and the board read a proclamation declaring February 2026 as CTE Month.

Josh Hartzog, the district's director of career and technical education, presented program infrastructure and growth data: 14 students completed an academic-credit internship in 2023-24; the program grew eightfold the following year to about 112 students; and the district projects more than 170 students will complete internships this year. Hartzog said his department's vision is that by 2029-30 every high school student will have access to an internship at their home high school and that a stretch goal is to have roughly 600 students completing internships annually by that date.

Hartzog described the administrative and legal infrastructure required for internships, including student learning plans, parent permission and liability forms, vetting of employer hosts, and formal contracts between the district and employers to define responsibilities and liabilities.

Responding to a question from President Adam Mayberry, Hartzog said internships are currently unpaid but that paid internships are possible when students can provide documentation of paid work and hours; the district can then record that participation as CTE work experience. He highlighted employer partners such as Renown Health, several engineering firms and local public agencies, and named Crystal Edwards as the district's full-time work-based learning coordinator.

Trustees praised the initiative and Trustee Westlake read a proclamation that recognized CTE pathways at the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT), Debbie Smith CTE Academy and district high schools. The board paused for photos following the proclamation.