In her 2016 State of Education address Monday evening, Washoe County School District Superintendent Traci Davis identified insufficient funds for building new schools to relieve overcrowding and repairing aging schools as the district’s biggest challenge. Without additional money, schools will reach a breaking point of overcrowding and buildings will fall further into … [Read more...]
Ballot question on tax hike for schools moves forward
A committee chaired by former Sparks City Manager Shaun Carey has decided to proceed with placing a question on the November general election ballot seeking voter approval for a tax increase to generate at least $600 million to build new schools and renovate others in Washoe County. The Public Schools Overcrowding and Repair Needs Committee, authorized by a law passed by the … [Read more...]
Board approves contract for school superintendent
Washoe County School District Superintendent Traci Davis, appointed to her post in July after being the district’s top administrator on an interim basis, has an employment contract that pays her a base salary of $238,000 a year. The contract also grants Davis an $11,900 bonus this month and an $800 monthly allowance for using her own car, among other benefits. The school … [Read more...]
Consultant proposes 3 new high schools to accommodate anticipated growth
A consultant has recommended replacing Sparks and Hug high schools with a new school in Sparks for 2,400 students and building five other schools to accommodate anticipated growth in the Washoe County School District. Sparks High would be converted to a middle school, and most of the district’s elementary schools outside the urban core would go on a year-round, multi-track … [Read more...]
School district searching to fill teaching vacancies
Even with state teacher incentives, a new alternative route to licensure and new hiring bonuses, all aimed at recruiting, Washoe County School District still needs more teachers. “We’re still actively recruiting for 48 teaching positions,” said Emily Ellison, the district’s director of talent acquisition & development. “This year we’ll end up hiring a total of 350 to 400 … [Read more...]
Wife of slain Sparks teacher receives settlement
The wife of Michael Landsberry, the popular Sparks Middle School math teacher killed in a 2013 shooting spree at the school, will receive more than $144,000 from the Washoe County School District, the school board has decided. In exchange, Sharon Landsberry has agreed to release all potential claims against the district arising from the death of her husband, under terms of a … [Read more...]