A dozen schools in the Washoe County School District are expecting some big changes within the next 15 years.

Over a dozen schools in the Washoe County School District are expecting some big changes within the next 15 years.

It is all part of the Facility Modernization Plan that was approved back in December of 2023. 

As part of the plan, Vaughn Elementary ad Stead Middle School are under construction, with completion expected in August of 2026 for both of them.

Reed High School, Mathews Elementary, and Loder Elementary are supposed to begin construction this summer, with Reed and Loder expected to be done in the Fall of 2027, and Mathews aiming for the Winter of 2027.

The plan also says Palmer Elementary will undergo construction this fall, but completion isn't expected until 2028 or 2029.

Maxwell Elementary and the new elementary on Pine Middle School's campus are set to begin reconstruction in 2026, with both of them aiming for completion in 2028.

Other schools such as Sparks High School and Wooster High School won't see construction until 2028 or 2029, with their expected completion dates for 2030 and beyond.

Members with this project say one of the big goals of this project is to provide equity throughout the district and provide more resources for students and staff.

"Spaces that they may not have, that the newer schools have, so that they can take part and have the same curriculum and instruction and extra-curricular activities that all those schools have. At Reed we are putting a new band addition on, we are putting a new weight room, as well as bringing students into new classrooms to get rid of those portables," said Tami Zimmerman, Chief Facilities Management Officer for the Washoe County School District.

Tami Zimmerman also says the plan will provide better space for student collaboration, staff spaces, and labs for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The school district also tells us that the funding for this project does not at all rely on the governor's budget and it will not see any problems from federal budget cuts.

"So, the capital improvement plan is funded based off of WC1 sales tax, government service tax and property taxes and at this point there is no impact from Governor Lombardo's budget for that."