Bursting At The Seams

An empty classroom, divided by a tarp hanging between two walls.

Bursting At The Seams

Most schools across Washoe County are hitting or exceeding capacity despite serious efforts like re-purposing space (check out the ad-hoc computer lab on the left), adding lunch periods, and co-teaching so that class sizes can be bigger.

Pretty soon, there will be even more kids to serve as Tesla and other companies flock to Northern Nevada .

On top of that, state lawmakers just approved more than a billion dollars in tax hikes, mostly for education. But get this--none of that money will cover capital needs.

For all of these reasons, KUNR has been reaching out to teachers, parents, administrators, lawmakers, and community members for a series of in-depth stories on the overcrowding crisis in Washoe County schools.

Local Stories

Washoe Voters Pass Sales Tax Increase To Fund Schools

Anh Gray

For the last dozen years, Washoe County voters rejected all education ballot measures. That streak came to an end yesterday when WC-1, the initiative to…
Local Stories

Interview: A Monkey Wrench In Washoe School Board Election

Anh Gray

One more Washoe County School Board seat is going on the November ballot, creating a total of five open positions. Reno Public Radio’s Anh Gray sat down…
Education

It's Not Just A Tesla Problem: Why Washoe County Isn't Building Schools

Amy Westervelt

Business and construction are booming in Reno, and that means even more students for the already-overcrowded Washoe County School District. In the latest…
Business and Economy

Interview: Would Voters Raise Taxes For Washoe Schools?

Michelle Billman

All this week, Reno Public Radio has been examining overcrowding in Washoe County Schools for our series Bursting At The Seams. So far, we've talked a lot…
Education

Voter Apathy, School Board Blunders Present Obstacles To More Funding

Julia Ritchey

Washoe County voters haven't approved new school funding since 2002, and that bond expired three years ago. Without enough money to build new schools or…
Education

Can We Fit Two Schools In One Building? The Extreme Solution On The Table For Crowded Washoe Schools

Amy Westervelt

Much of the debate around overcrowding in Washoe County schools has centered on the idea of shifting to a year-round schedule, also known as multi-track.…
Education

Board Delays Year-Round Switch For Packed Schools

Julia Ritchey

Four severely overcrowded Washoe County elementary schools have been spared from going to a year-round calendar next school year. Reno Public Radio's…
Education

More Noise, Less Space: Double Diamond Elementary Employs Overcrowding Hacks

Julia Ritchey

Editor's Note: This story won an Associated Press Television and Radio Association (APTRA) award for best use of sound in a hard news story in 2015. Learn…
Education

Graphic: School Overcrowding Cheat Sheet

Julia Ritchey

Click here to see full Washoe County Overcrowding Cheat Sheet
Local Stories

Doing More With Less: A Reno School Copes With Overcrowding

Anh Gray

Tuesday the Washoe County School Board will decide whether schools that are severely over-capacity must switch to a year-round schedule by next fall.…