Carson City School Board Meeting: February 10, 2026 – Social Workers, Girls Wrestling Approved

The Carson City School District Board of Trustees met on February 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss and act on several items. Key actions included approving girls' wrestling as a fully recognized sport, adopting changes to board bylaws, canceling the April 28, 2026, meeting, and approving the consent agenda. Board members heard public comment from school social workers advocating for their roles, and received presentations on the Silver Campus's new trade-focused direction and on the district's online learning program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several school social workers (Salahandhra Yala, Stephanie Navidad Marcos, Molly McGregor, Bailey Barber, Nicole Sitton) and a social work intern (Mayela) spoke in support of retaining school social workers, describing them as essential for student mental health, crisis response, and family support. They argued that eliminating social workers would increase strain on schools.
• Isaiah Pondo, a master's level social work student, advocated for the social workers, stating they do far more than counseling.
• Riann Lish, a school counselor at Carson Middle School, described social worker Molly McGregor as essential personnel, providing daily crisis support and groups.
• Public comment was also received via email from Sunny Caudell, Miriam Castor, Jacqueline Co., Brittany Tyson, and Samantha Betts; those comments were included in the record.

Discussion Items

• Girls' Wrestling as a Recognized Sport: Athletic Director Thomas Reimer and Coach Samantha Samso presented a request to approve girls' wrestling as a fully recognized school-sponsored sport. The program began in 2017 under the boys' team and was state‑sanctioned by the NIAA in November 2025. Currently 12 female athletes are on the team; 10 qualified for regionals, and one qualified for state. The financial impact is a head coaching stipend of $4,825.52, with uniform costs every third year ($1,000). The district can cover this within its existing budget. The motion passed unanimously.
• Silver Campus Presentation: Dr. Susan Molden (Assistant Principal) presented a two‑part update: (1) a new trade‑focused career pathway through the JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) program, and (2) a plan to stabilize the district's online learning program by requiring all new online students to attend a two‑week, in‑person orientation on the Silver Campus. For the trade pathway, the campus is partnering with local businesses (e.g., Carson Toyota, Nevada Builders Alliance) to provide internships and apprenticeships. A new course, Trade Technical Math, has been approved for seniors. Enrollment is currently 82 in‑seat students (87 including five early graduates) with a maximum capacity of 200. The presentation was for discussion only; no vote was taken.
• Proposed Changes to Board Bylaws: The board discussed first‑reading changes to several bylaws (delegation of responsibilities, policy development, meeting schedule, and procedure for addressing the board). Key change: public comment time reduced from five minutes to three minutes. The board adopted the changes on second reading (agenda item 10) unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously Approved: Girls' wrestling as a fully recognized school‑sponsored sport (exception to Policy 214).
• Unanimously Approved: Adoption of changes to board bylaws (second reading) covering structure, authority, functions, membership, organization, meetings, duties of officers/auditor/legal counsel, and code of conduct.
• Unanimously Approved: Cancellation of the April 28, 2026, school board meeting to accommodate educator/employee of the year awards (held separately).
• Unanimously Approved: Consent agenda as submitted.
• Future Agenda Items Requested: A presentation on the ASP (Autism Spectrum Program) for pre‑K through 12, and a review/revision of the policy on using recess as punishment.