After a string of superintendents who have resigned before their contracts have ended, the Washoe County School Board has selected Deputy Superintendent Tiffany McMaster as its fourth superintendent in six years in a unanimous vote at its Tuesday meeting. 

With McMaster's selection, the board avoided having to do a lengthy and costly superintendent search. 

"I'm so vested in this community and to know that I have a role in leading the academic organization for our entire community and having an impact on students and their lives for years to come is very humbling," McMaster said. 

The district's current superintendent, Joe Ernst, announced in March he was retiring in July, two years after he took over the role after the sudden departure of his predecessor, Susan Enfield. 

McMaster will take over as superintendent on July 8 after Ernst retires. 

Ernst has said his decision was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family. When she left, Enfield said it was to return to Washington state to spend time with her family and pursue other opportunities. 

McMaster joined the district 28 years ago as a teacher at Edward Pine Middle School and worked her way up through the administrative ranks, according to her resume. She became the deputy superintendent in 2024.

During the interview, Board President Adam Mayberry asked McMaster how long she would stay on the job if selected for the role. 

Nevada public employees hired before 2010 can retire at any age with their full pension  after 30 years of service. 

McMaster said she has no retirement plans at the moment. 

"I want many years ahead, and I want to be part of great things," she told the school board. "So I guess the question is, how long will the board have me?"