Washoe County School District, Nevada
 B-
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Contents |
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Nevada school district websites
[edit] The good
- School board members and their contact information can be found on the website.[4]
- School board meeting schedule[5], minutes, and agendas available.[6]
- School board meetings are televised live and can be viewed anytime via video posted online.[7]
- Administrative officials listed in staff directory.[8]
- Union contracts available for the Washoe Education Association[9], Association of Professional and Technical Administrators[10], Washoe School Principals' Association[11], Washoe Education Support Professionals[12] and the Washoe County School Police Officer's Association[13].
- Includes information on academic performance[14] and curriculum.[15]
- Forms available for "public records, information and/or documents" request[16] as well as for student records.[17]
[edit] The bad
- No background check information posted for staff.
- Not all vendor contract bid information posted.
- The budget includes total revenue collected from taxes, but information on specific tax rates not available.
[edit] School Board
The school board is responsible adopting an annual budget for the school district based on the educational plan for the district and the recommendations of the administrators. In addition, he board supervises the execution of the budget, reviews school district accounts and provides for an annual audit of the accounts as required by law. The school board is also repsonsible for adopting academic standards for pupils and establishing expectations for the district. The school board monitors student academic achievement and exercises general oversight of the schools in the district.[18]
| Member | District | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Carnes | District A | 2012 |
| Nancy Hollinger | District B | 2010 |
| Barbara Clark, President | District C | 2010 |
| Ken Grein | District D | 2012 |
| Scott Kelly | District E | 2012 |
| Estella Gutierrez, Vice-President | District F - At Large | 2010 |
| Barbara McLaury, Clerk | District G - At Large | 2012 |
Board members are elected to four year terms. The School Board publishes its policies on its website.[20]
[edit] School budget
Nevada Revised Statute section 354.624 requires Nevada school districts to issue an annual report on its financial position and to have that report audited by an independent firm of certified public accountants.[21]
The general operating budget for the 2008-09 school year is $456,369,138. Sixty-nine percent of this support comes from local sources, twenty-six percent from state sources, less than one percent from federal sources and the remainder from opening fund balances. Local funds from sales and property taxes provide thirty-six percent of the total resources. Per-pupil expenditure from the general operating budget is $7,086. Nearly 2/3 of every per-pupil dollar is spent on instruction and instructional support.[22]
The district's expenses totaled $554.7 million. Regular instruction costs constituted the largest expense at $249 million. The other largest categories of expenditures were $47.3 million operations and maintenance and $46.2 million for special education.[23]
The district's total revenues amounted to $597.5 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Ad valorem property taxes generated $161.1 million, comprising 27.8% of revenues. Local school support tax (sales tax) generated $153.3 million, comprising 26.4% of revenue. The district received $125.2 million in state aid, comprising 21.6% of revenues. Revenues increased $38.7 million over the prior fiscal year.[24] The district budget for fiscal year 2010 included $160 million in state aid. The amount of federal assistance was budgeted at $516,000.[25]
[edit] School Choice
The district sponsors eight charter schools.[26] The district explains on its website that each charter school "has its own governing body that directs its operations. State law says the sponsoring districts may not interfere in the normal, day-to-day business of charter schools. So, charters are free to chart their own course, free of many, but not all, rules and regulations covering other schools."[27] It provides contact information on each of the eight charter schools, but no information on admissions.[28] The district also notes that students living in Washoe County may enroll in one of the five state-sponsored charter schools.[29]
[edit] Academic Performance
The district did not make adequate yearly progress in the 2008-09 academic year and the Nevada Department of Education gave it a watch designation.[30]
Percentile rank of average standard scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills/Iowa Test of Educational Development[31]
| Grade Level | Reading | Language | Math | Science |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 52.3 | 51.7 | 57.6 | 58.6 |
| 7 | 43.4 | 40.9 | 46.5 | 51.3 |
| 10 | 48.4 | 44.4 | 45.9 | 50.0 |
The following percentages of students of Washoe County School District were proficient or above on the Nevada Criterion Referenced Test[32]
| Grade Level | Reading | Math | Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 57.8 | 58.8 | n/a (not given to third graders) |
| 5 | 49.0 | 60.9 | 54.8 |
| 8 | 58.0 | 56.0 | 64.6 |
[edit] Public Records
The district provides a form to allow for the request of public records. [33]
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Nevada taxpayer-funded lobbying
The school district has six registered lobbyists. [34] The school board belongs to the Nevada Association of School Boards, a taxpayer-funded lobbying association.[35]
[edit] External links
- Washoe County School District website
- 2009 Capital Projects
- WCSD Budget Fiscal year 2009-2010
- Nevada Annual Reports of Accountability
- Nevada Department of Education
- Nevada State Education Association
- Nevada Association of School Boards
- Ratings of Washoe County Schools by Greatschools.net
[edit] References
- ↑ Office of the Superintendent
- ↑ Nevada Annual Reports of Accountability Washoe County School District Demographic Profile
- ↑ Washoe County School District Fast Facts
- ↑ Meet the Trustees
- ↑ Upcoming Meetings
- ↑ Board Meeting Archive of Agendas and Minutes
- ↑ School Board Meting Streaming Video Archive
- ↑ Washoe County Schools Directory
- ↑ Agreement between the Washoe County School District and the Washoe Education Association 2007-2011
- ↑ Negotiated Agreement between the Washoe County School District and the Association of Professional and Tecnical Administrators
- ↑ Negotiated Agreement between the Washoe County School District and Washoe School Principals Association 2007-2011
- ↑ Agreement between the Washoe County School District and the Washoe Education Support Professionals 2007-2011
- ↑ Agreement between the Washoe County School District and Washoe County School Police Officer's Association 2007-2011
- ↑ WCSD Fast Facts
- ↑ WCSD Core Curriculum Standards
- ↑ Procedures Manual
- ↑ Procedures for Accessing and Releasing Student Information and Educational Records
- ↑ Nevada Association of School Boards
- ↑ Meet the Trustees
- ↑ Policies and Regulations
- ↑ Nevada Revised Statutes
- ↑ Washoe County School District Fast Facts
- ↑ School District Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008
- ↑ School District Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008
- ↑ Fiscal Year 2010 Amended Budget
- ↑ WCSD Sponsored Charter Schools
- ↑ Charter Schools
- ↑ Charter Schools
- ↑ Charter Schools
- ↑ Nevada Annual Reports of Accountability Washoe County School District AYP
- ↑ Washoe County School Districts Fast Facts
- ↑ Washoe County School Districts Fast Facts
- ↑ Request for Public Records, Information and/or Documents
- ↑ Nevada Legislature - Lobbyist Employer List
- ↑ Nevada Association of School Boards
