The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions
are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.
Nevada State Board of Education
What is the State Board of Education & what are they responsible for? The Nevada State Board of Education adopts regulations based on Nevada laws, which are passed down to individual school districts in Nevada to implement. The Board has 11 total (7 appointed and 4 publicly elected) members.
How often does the State Board meet? The Nevada State Board of Education meets once per month on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. Click here to see the 2025 meeting materials.
Can community members engage at State Board Meetings? A time for public comment is provided at the beginning (for agenda items) and at the conclusion (on any matter) of each Board meeting. Members of the public may provide public comment in writing via email; public comment will be accepted via email for the duration of the meeting and shared with the State Board of Education during the public comment periods. Public comment may be emailed to NVBoardED@doe.nv.gov.
Click here for a list of all State Board Members.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Nevada State Board of Education
Click here to see the regular SBOE meeting agenda.
Click here to watch the meeting playback.
What happened at the regular meeting?
Public Comment #1
Public comment was heard on the following subjects:
- Improving student achievement systems and strengthening implementation systems relating to instructional shifts
- Support for families with students who are in a residential treatment centers, and concerns regarding multi-tiered systems of support relating to student discipline without equity safeguards
President's Report
Highlights included:
- Attending the Nevada Association of School Boards conference
- Sharing insights regarding the roles, responsibilities, and structures of the State Board of Education
Superintendent's Report
Highlights from the report included:
- Updates from the Superintendent's first 100 day plan, including engaging in a Listening and Bright Spots Tour, including schools and district meetings, meeting with educators and students, superintendents, and trustees, and offering an update at the January or February board meeting
Board Approved Consent Agenda
Consent agenda items included:
Review the consent agenda.
Board Discussed State Goals and Benchmarks
Key stakeholders from across Nevada's education entities, including school districts and associations, provided updates on state goals, benchmarks, progress, and needs.
Clark County School District's presentation highlighted growth in English Language Arts, math, and science proficiency rates over the last year. During the 2024-25 school year, 136 schools made improvements in their Nevada State Performance Framework star ratings, with 50 schools improving by 20 or more index points. Graduation rates also improved by 5.1% to 86.6%. In Superintendent Ebert's first 100 days, 500 Pre-K seats were added, teacher vacancies decreased, with 98% of classrooms filled with a licensed teacher, and retention improved among teachers.
Next steps include Core Four bridge work in pre-kindergarten and early literacy, middle school math, and workforce and college readiness. Community engagement regarding the development of the District's strategic plan will continue this winter, with the launch of plan scheduled for spring 2026. Additional items include shifting school start times, facilities master planning, and AB495 funds.
The Commission on Recruitment and Retention's presentation included highlights from the statewide working conditions survey and statewide teacher exit/transfer survey data, and collaboration with districts on data. The Commission also highlighted a statewide recruitment campaign, redesigning the recruitment website, and a media campaign on recruitment.
The Nevada Association of School Superintendents' presentation highlighted the work the Association is undertaking regarding learner-centered, future-ready systems and adapting education to meet the future demands of post-secondary education and the workforce, and top skills required of adults. The presentation also highlighted the upcoming CIEE/Nevada Future of Learning Network convening in January. A summary of District initiatives was also provided.
The State Public Charter School Authority's presentation highlighted enrollment trends, with a 10.8% change in enrollment year-over-year (due mostly to the Authority absorbing CCSD's charter schools), and student groups served in the last five years, aligned with the implementation of the needs assessment. Authority presenters also reviewed academic achievement, with 49% of school rated five-star under the NSPF, and over 96% of SPCSA schools earning at least three stars under the framework in 2024-25. SPCSA-sponsored Title I schools are also outperforming the statewide average for Title I schools. The percentage of students meeting growth targets increased over the last year. For ELA, many SPCSA schools saw high proficiency and growth; math results are more mixed. Focuses for the agency include literacy and early learning, teacher retention and shortages, artificial intelligence, learning gaps and chronic absenteeism, and social well-being and mental health.
Board Held a Public Hearing on LCB File No. R131-22 – Residential Treatment Centers Regulation
The Board held a public hearing on amended regulatory language regarding residential treatment centers, due to shifts in language from the 2025 legislative session (SB 81). The regulation establishes procedures regarding the placement of K-12 schools in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatments facilities, the duties of the facility as related to transition support for students, and the eligibility of the treatment center to receive reimbursement for educational services.
Amendments to the language include clarifying definitions, reimbursement procedures, and processes for educational services received while in residence at the facility.
After several questions and concerns regarding student experience, standard of care, and education quality, the Board decided to revisit this item at a future meeting, following a more comprehensive briefing on the subject.
Review the Notice of Intent packet.
Board Heard an Overview on Nevada's Education Services Center and Appointed a Member to the Board of the Education Service Center
The Nevada Education Service Center (ESC) will serve as an educational service agency, or ESA. ESAs are regional public multi-service agencies that develop, manage, and provide a wide range of services or programs to local education agencies (LEAs), acting as a bridge between the State Board and individual LEAs, such as school districts and the state charter authority. Typical services can include professional development, instructional support, and management, planning, and operations support. They serve to extend state capacity, facilitate compliance, promote collaboration, and deliver services cost-effectively.
Nevada's ESC will serve as an intermediary between the Department of Education and LEAs, as well as serve as an arm for the implementation of Senate Bill 460's accountability provisions. The founding of the ESC was driven by legislative mandate to improve academic achievement and accountability. Dr. Steve Canavero, the Executive Director of the ESC, reviewed the creation of the center, the vision for appointing a seven-member governing body, and its guiding purpose to provide assistance and guidance to public schools and school districts designated as low-performing or underperforming by the Superintendent.
Dr. Canavero provided an update on how the ESC and its purpose differs from the Nevada Department of Education, as well as goals and purpose. The purpose is to provide recommendations for strategies and interventions for school improvement; provide support for the initiatives of the State for improving performance of schools and school districts; implement or support initiatives assigned to the ESC; and avoid duplication of programs and services to ensure an efficient delivery of educational services.
Board members voted to appoint Angela Orr to the Board of the ESC.
Explore the ESC Foundational Documents and Frequently-Asked Questions document.
Board Discussed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Collaboration with Districts to Improve Discipline Data
The Board reviewed a presentation on the rate of student suspensions and expulsions, including significant disparities among student groups, that contribute to a lost instructional time, weak school climate, and poor academic outcomes. Board members reviewed a collaborative response, MTSS in CCSD, and next steps.
The data for suspensions and expulsions have been relatively similar over the last four years, with a decrease in the number of suspensions and expulsions for Black students. Hispanic students comprise 45% of suspensions and expulsions. Staff also presented 2024-25 teacher exit survey data, with the second largest reason for leaving a teacher role named as student discipline or behavior concerns.
NDE collaborated with University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and pilot districts for implementation of MTSS, as well as a school climate transformation grant. The results included schools strengthening systems for early identification and intervention led to reduced discipline events, positive impacts on chronic absenteeism and academic outcomes, and additional staff and student support. Staff reviewed pilot results, including those reduced numbers of discipline incidents, bullying incidents, and cyberbullying. Average daily attendance and math and ELA proficiency also improved. Staff then provided an overview on CCSD's pilot program.
Department staff recommended University of Nevada, Reno and the Department support district and charter schools to implement MTSS with fidelity.
Discussion took place regarding federal and state budgets for the programs, systems change over time, and correlation/causation.
Explore the presentation.
Future Agenda Items
Suggestions for future agenda items include a joint NASS convening in June 2026; Nevada Content Standards and artificial intelligence; Board briefing timelines, workshops and stakeholder input; and state assessment selection processes.
The next meeting of the State Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, January 14, at 9:00 a.m.
