Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter. 

This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources throughout the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it each week via email.

I want to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions on what I should be covering to [email protected]. 

News briefs

Clark County School Board pushes back superintendent search timeline — The Clark County School Board voted 6-0 on Thursday to push its ongoing superintendent search to next year — a recommendation by its search firm due to a vacancy on the board and upcoming elections that could result in as many as four new board members. 

The firm heard widespread concerns from the community about proceeding with the search after the District B seat was left vacant following Katie Williams’ resignation. Before she was under investigation for residency, Williams wasn’t planning to run for re-election along with two other trustees. Board President Evelyn Garcia Morales is running to keep her seat. 

The postponement will allow the newly elected trustees to get settled into their positions on board before commencing the interview process in mid-February. Under the new timeline, the board would hire a new superintendent by the end of March.

The board also voted to begin the process of filling the District B vacancy through an appointment. The application for the position will be open from Sept. 29 through Oct. 18. The appointed trustee will serve the remainder of Williams’ term through the end of the year when a newly elected trustee takes the office in January. 

School Spotlight

Henderson nonprofit teen leader delivering kindness to seniors

As a volunteer at a senior living home during the pandemic, Green Valley High School senior Mischa Abad, 17, had an up close look at how social distancing restrictions made it difficult for seniors, who were at higher risk for COVID, to connect with their families. 

The Henderson teen remembered seeing a blue chair outside of a window of a resident’s room. It was one of the ways that families could continue to spend time together while staying at a safe distance. 

That image inspired her to do something for seniors, many of whom had become her friends during her time volunteering and gave her life advice. 

“I really wanted to do something to give back to them,” she said. 

In 2021, she founded a nonprofit, Uplifting Deliveries, that aims to combat the social isolation some seniors experience that could lead to pseudodementia. Volunteers deliver handmade cards made by students and others, decorated with drawings and encouraging messages, as well as care packages that can include snacks and activity books.

Since founding Uplifting Deliveries, the nonprofit has made 16,000 deliveries to senior homes and hospices primarily in the Las Vegas Valley. During one of her first deliveries around the Christmas season, Abad met one woman who said the card she got was the only present under her tree that year. 

“I remember thinking about  … how much of an impact simplicity can have,” Abad said. “We really want to do our part to deliver simple messages of hope and care packages and really uplift people around the valley.”

In addition to the deliveries, Uplifting Deliveries hosts workshops for students that teach them how to be leaders in their community. The nonprofit also held a workshop this summer at a senior living home where residents got to try yoga and dance and sing along to music.

“It was so cool seeing these people affected by memory loss, Alzheimer's and dementia … sing along to the lyrics, and I just remember feeling so happy,” Abad said. 

Abad is working on expanding the nonprofit’s reach. During the summer, she delivered cards to seniors across the Pacific Northwest, and is planning to expand into Southern California and rural Nevada. 

After she graduates from high school, Abad, who garnered headlines when she was 11 for being the youngest state Spelling Bee winner, is looking to go to college to study neuroscience and pursue a career in geriatric medicine. 

“I think that would be the perfect path for me,” she said. “I love learning about the brain, I love learning new things and seeing how I can help people.” 

Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at [email protected].

Reading Assignments

Clark County School District ousts its chief financial officer

Jason Goudie's departure came after several principals voiced concerns that teacher salaries were not accurately reflected in their spring 2024-2025 budgets — a miscalculation that could lead to staff reductions and affect school programming. 

State board gathering feedback on high school start times

After failing to advance a proposed regulation on changing high school start times, the Nevada State Board of Education has launched a survey to gather community input before determining whether to take up the issue during the next legislative session. 

Extra Credit

From KOLO: Teachers and students in Carson City share feedback on new cell phone ban

Events

🎤 Flip the Script — Oct. 3, 4-7 p.m. 

High school students will have the opportunity to interview local and state school board candidates as part of Opportunity 180’s annual Flip the Script event. Confirmed attendees to be interviewed by students include candidates from Clark County School Board District A, B, C and E; State Board of Education District 1 and 3; and Washoe County School Board District G. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube.

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