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.
Washoe County School District Board of Trustees
What is the Board of Trustees & what are they responsible for? The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees are publicly elected decision-makers for the school district. They are responsible for providing oversight to the Superintendent and establishing District-wide policy. Trustees are accountable to work with their communities to improve student achievement.
Click here to learn more and see a list of current Trustees.
How often does the Board of Trustees meet? Trustees meet twice per month (second and fourth Tuesdays) at 2 pm both virtually and at the Central Administration Building Board Room, 425 E. 9th St., Reno, NV 89512.
Click here for a full list of Trustees meetings.
Can community members engage at Trustee meetings? Decision-making bodies benefit greatly from hearing public input and multiple perspectives. Currently, members of the public can submit comments on agenda and non-agenda items through email or voice recording. Public comment can be provided in person or via email. Email comments should be submitted to publiccomments@washoeschools.net.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Washoe County School District Board of Trustees Meeting
Click here to see the meeting agenda.
Watch the meeting playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Trustees Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights include:
- Approval of partnership and service agreements, including integrated student services and student safety support
- Several facilities upgrades, such as rooftop units, gym bleachers, mechanical systems, and fire alarms
- Multiple school board and committee appointments and reappointments
- Various purchasing contracts and software agreements to support school operations
- Key interlocal tuition agreements and approvals related to membership dues and policy revisions
Explore the consent agenda here.
Trustees Received a Presentation on The Balanced Governance Self-Assessment
Trustees received a presentation on the balanced governance self-assessment. Highlights of the presentation included:
- The Balanced Governance Model is one of the top three models according to academic studies
- The lowest standards were in “learning organizations” and “systems thinking”
- High-priority recommendations for additional executive leadership team training and just-in-time coaching interventions
Explore the Presentation.
Trustees Received a Presentation on the Superintendent Performance Evaluation Process for Superintendent Joe Ernst for the 2024-25 School Year
Trustees received a presentation on the Superintendent Performance evaluation process for Superintendent Joe Ernst for the 2024-25 school year. Highlights of the presentation included:
- Highlighting the criteria for evaluating the superintendent aligned with the targeted goals
- Presented the timeline for the evaluation, which will conclude in October 2025
- Results of the evaluation will be shared publicly on October 28, 2025
Explore the Evaluation Goals.
Trustees Approved Keeping the 3-Minute Time Limit on Board Reports
Trustees approved keeping the three-minute time limit on board reports and following the current board policy that if a member has an item, they need to share it and will submit it as an agenda item.
Explore the Trustee Meeting Agendas Survey
Trustees Approved the Plan to Conclude Pilot Phase and Launch Full-Scale Implementation of “Phone Away & Learn Today”
Trustees approved the plan to conclude pilot phase and to launch a full-scale implementation of “Phone Away & Learn Today” program, piloted earlier this year, to mitigate concerns about cell phones and other electronic devices in school. Highlights of the presentation included:
- 21 schools have completed the survey and continue to participate in the program.
- Staff presented the timeline for the Phone Away & Learn Today project and regulation updates (SB 444) passed in June 2025.
- Additional language was added to accommodate the increase in smart watches being used by elementary school students.
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for Amendments of Board Policy 4214, Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy
Trustees provided preliminary approval for amendments of Board Policy 4214, Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the presentation.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Adoption of Board Policy 7XXX, Tobacco Use and Smoking Prohibited
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the adoption of Board Policy 7XXX, Tobacco Use and Smoking Prohibited, and initiation of the 13-Day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy revisions.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Adoption of Board Policy 0100, Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity, and Deletion of Several Board Policies
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the adoption of Board Policy 0100, Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity, and deletion of several board policies. The following board policies were removed: 4400 – Equal Opportunity in Employment; 9200 – Harassment and Discrimination; 0210 – Equity and Diversity; and 9215 – Creating and Maintaining a Positive Culture and Climate and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy 0100.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Amendment of Board Policy 1600, Public Complaint and Resolution Process
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the amendment of Board Policy 1600, Public Complaint and Resolution Process, and initiation of the 13-day Public Review and comment period.
Explore the board policy.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Amendment of Board Policy 9070, Board Policies, Administrative Procedures/Manuals
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the amendment of board policy 9070, Board Policies, Administrative Procedures/Manuals, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Amendment of Board Policy 4500, District Employee Speech, and Initiation of the 13-day public review and Comment Period, and Initiation of the 13-day Public Review and Comment Period
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the amendment of Board Policy 4500, District Employee Speech, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Amendment of Board Policy 7610, Public Records Request
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the amendment of Board Policy 7610 – Public Records Request, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Amendment of Board Policy 5700, Safe and Respectful Learning Environment
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the amendment of Board Policy 5700, Safe and Respectful Learning Environment, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy.
Trustees Provided Preliminary Approval for the Amendment of Board Policy 5150, Student Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression, and Right to Assemble
Trustees provided preliminary approval for the amendment of Board Policy 5150 – Student Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression, and Right to Assemble, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Explore the board policy.
Trustees Report
Report highlights included:
- Excitement for welcoming new teachers and kicking off the school year
- Multiple Trustees attended the Fill the Bus school supply drive hosted by the Reno Fire Department
Superintendent’s Report
Report highlights included:
- Excitement for kicking off the school year
The next Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for August 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
