With school starting in the Washoe County School District, parents and teachers have been getting the school supplies they need for the year. Several community organizations are stepping up to help families and teachers keep their costs down. Maria Aguayo estimates she spends between $150-$175 on back-to-school shopping for each of her kids. As a… [Read More]
High school classes could start later under proposed regulation
Start times at public high schools are the target of guidelines in a new regulation the State Board of Education is preparing to draft. State Board of Education members met Wednesday to discuss creating the regulation that would bring some high school start times closer to recommendations from experts who found that early start times… [Read More]
Three incumbent WCSD trustees face off against conservative challengers
The balance of power on the Washoe County School District’s Board of Trustees could shift after the Nov. 8 election. Three moderate incumbents are being challenged by more conservative candidates who are critical of the district’s COVID-era learning restrictions and the way it teaches social studies and social-emotional skills. In an interview with KUNR, District… [Read More]
Breaking down the school transportation situations in Washoe County and Carson City
The school districts in Washoe County and Carson City are dealing with bus driver shortages ahead of the first day of school. Report for America’s Jose Davila IV sat down with KUNR’s Michelle Billman to break everything down. Michelle Billman: So what is the transportation problem facing these two districts this school year? Jose Davila… [Read More]
WCSD using federal COVID-19 funds for summer school program
For some Washoe County students, summer this year includes additional schooling as the district attempts to address learning loss and the feared summer slide. This year’s summer school program, hosted by the Washoe County School District, is benefitting from American Rescue Plan money known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Nevada… [Read More]
WCSD authorizes individual schools to go remote if needed due to COVID-19
The Washoe County School District is grappling with a surge of COVID-19 cases among teachers and students. KUNR’s Andrew Mendez reports that while the district as a whole is not planning to go remote at this time, individual schools are now authorized to go virtual on a case-by-case basis. According to the latest update, on… [Read More]
4 In 10 WCSD high school students failing at least one course
The Washoe County School District recently released data showing nearly 40% of high school students are failing at least one subject, and almost a quarter are failing in two. Superintendent Kristen McNeill said on Friday that a significant number of students are failing even more than two classes. “14% of our students were failing three… [Read More]
Washoe and Clark Counties to provide free meals for all children through the end of 2020
The two largest school districts in Nevada are providing free meals to all children as of Tuesday, regardless of enrollment or eligibility for the free and reduced price meals program, and parents who have already paid will be getting that money back. The Washoe County School District (WCSD) began providing free meals on Sept. 29,… [Read More]
Education during COVID-19 discussed in first KUNR forum for Spanish speaking Nevadans
With the fall semester underway for public schools across the state, KUNR recently hosted a Facebook Live event in Spanish, with health and education experts, to answer community questions. Bilingual reporter Natalie Van Hoozer moderated the Q&A and spoke with KUNR’s Jayden Perez to recap the main takeaways from the discussion. Jayden Perez: Natalie, KUNR… [Read More]
Washoe County School District avoids setting a COVID-19 threshold for school closures
For weeks, community members have been asking the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees to set a threshold that would use specific metrics to determine if and when the district would stop in-person instruction during the pandemic. Some trustees said in a meeting Tuesday, September 8 they do not want to draw a hard… [Read More]