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WCSD Superintendent Kristen McNeill To Retire At End Of School Year

Kristen McNeill is standing behind a podium in front of district staff. She is speaking into a microphone while announcing her upcoming retirement.
Paul Boger
/
KUNR Public Radio
Washoe County School District Superintendent Kristen McNeill announced her plan to retire at the end of the school year during a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 30, in Reno, Nev.

The head of the Washoe County School District announced Thursday she will retire at the end of the school year.

Superintendent Kristen McNeill announced her retirement during a press conference outside the district offices, effective June 30, 2022.

“During my time as the superintendent, our district, as well as other districts across the country, have faced extraordinary circumstances due to the pandemic,” she said during the announcement. “However, I want to stress that is not the reason why I am retiring. It’s just quite simply the right time for myself and my family.”

McNeill first joined the district as a teacher nearly thirty years ago. She then worked her way through the administration before she was named the district’s interim leader in 2019 after the school board fired the previous superintendent. She was named the district’s permanent top administrator last year.

During her tenure, McNeill has had to contend with the pandemic and low staff morale. She also recently launched a task force to review teaching materials related to the district’s social justice curriculum.

Despite the challenges, McNeill says the groundwork is in place to ensure the next superintendent’s success.

“I believe all the work that we have done together will position a new superintendent to be able to hit the ground running with a strategic plan in place and a dedicated, resilient team focused on improving outcomes for all of our students," McNeill said.

School Board President Angie Taylor says the district will hire a third-party consultant to conduct a national search for McNeill’s replacement.

Paul Boger is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
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