9-8-2026 WCSD Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on September 8, 2026, which included several procurement-related discussions and approvals. The board unanimously approved a $3.5 million medium-term bond issuance to finance the purchase of school buses and support vehicles. They also approved a $111.15 million capital funding program covering major projects such as the construction of the new Smithridge Elementary School ($92.8 million), a mini reconstruction at Libby Booth Elementary ($10.5 million), design funding for Sparks Middle School ($7 million), and due diligence funding for administrative facilities ($750,000). The board discussed the school naming process for the new elementary school on the former Edward L. Pine Middle School campus, ultimately selecting the name Smithridge Elementary School by a 6-1 vote, with commitments to honor other finalists through naming portions of the school. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved changes to the district’s group health plan for 2027, including a 5% premium increase for the PPO plan and adjustments to deductibles and HSA contributions. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a detailed presentation and discussion of the comprehensive evaluation plan for the iReady supplemental instructional curriculum, including plans for data collection, stakeholder feedback, and independent analysis by Northwestern University to inform a renewal decision. The board approved the evaluation plan with amendments to survey questions to better capture stakeholder perspectives. Public comments focused heavily on concerns about iReady’s effectiveness, screen time, student behavior, and the need for increased support services such as PE and art programs. The meeting concluded with reports and announcements for the next meeting date.