School officials look ahead

This spring will bring big changes to the Carson City School District, both in buildings and in personnel.

Bordewich-Bray Elementary School's seven-building campus will be consolidated into one building when the addition is complete in April.

The $3.75 million bond for the addition was passed in the 2002 election after five of the school's portable buildings were discovered to be infested with toxic mold.

"It was such a big contribution from the community to our kids," said Superintendent Mary Pierczynski. "That was a very big deal for us."

The year will also bring a change in leadership at Carson High School after more than a decade with Glen Adair as the principal.

"He's started a lot of new programs at CHS," Pierczynski said. "He's done a lot for that school, and he's done it all for the students."

"A big focus of ours will be getting a new principal for that school. It's going to be a big undertaking for next year."

The search will begin in January.

"I would hope we would have somebody selected no later than the first of April," Pierczynski said. "That way the transition can be very smooth."

Adair has served in education for 34 years.

Other challenges facing the district in the upcoming year include the possibility of losing school buses and settling employee contracts.

About 41 percent of the district's fleet of school buses are made by Carpenter, a company that has come under question for safety issues.

"That could pose some real challenges for the district," Pierczynski said.

District officials will continue their focus on meeting the federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind act.

"The biggest challenge we will continue to face is how to bring every student along," Pierczynski said. "That continues to be our No. 1 academic issue."

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.