Rocio Hernandez
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Rocio Hernandez
@rociohdz.bsky.social
(ro-SEE-oh) | K-12 education reporter @ The Nevada Independent | rocio@thenvindy.com
Gov. Lombardo selected Teach for America leader Victor Wakefield as the next State Supt of Public Instruction. Wakefield was among the 3 finalists picked by the state board of ed. He has past NV experience. He will take over the role 10/27
September 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The State Board of Education meeting is now underway. The board will interview six state superintendents today and tomorrow, and will pick three finalists to forward onto to Gov. Lombardo, who will make the final pick.
August 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
WCSD school board VP Adam Mayberry is running for Sparks City Council Ward 4. Last year, former trustee Joe Rodriguez left the school board after he was elected to the Sparks City Council.
July 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
.@apnews.com reports the Dept of Ed has completed its review of the programs and will begin sending money to states next week. This includes a total $56M for Nevada, including $11.8M for afterschool programs that the dept announced last week it was releasing. apnews.com/article/trum...
Education Department says it will release billions in remaining withheld grant money for schools
The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in grants to schools for adult literacy, English language instruction and other programs, the Education Department said Friday.
apnews.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The Washoe County School District has identified and taken disciplinary actions against the individuals behind the recent vandalism at Reno High School, which included use of racial slurs and anti-Semitic marks.
May 30, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Gov. Lombardo is appointing Steve Canavero as interim State Supt of Public Instruction. He’ll be stepping into the role as Jhone Ebert is taking over as CCSD’s supt. Canavero was the State Supt prior to Ebert. He was also the 1st state charter school authority exec director
March 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The Clark County School Board votes 7-0 to hire State Superintendent Jhone Ebert as the district's next superintendent. Ebert had overwhelming support among the voting and nonvoting trustees and community members.
March 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
CCSD's superintendent candidate interviews are now underway. First up on the list is John Anzalone. He recalls coming to the board room 30 years ago as a Chaparral HS student. He tells the board returning to CCSD feels like home, and say he understand the landscape and urgency
February 25, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Results from the nation’s report card or NAEP are out. Here’s how students nationwide and in Nevada did.

The headline: There are some signs of improvement, but for the most part, reading and math results for 4th- and 8th-grade student are still below their pre-pandemic levels.
January 29, 2025 at 9:37 PM
By the time that Omari Mangram, a military brat, transferred to Legacy High School in North Las Vegas, he had social anxiety and just wanted to do the bare minimum.

But that changed after he went through the Jobs for America’s Graduates Nevada program.

thenevadaindependent.com/article/from...
From resumes to rental applications, nonprofit preps students for life after high school - The Nevada Independent
A nonprofit is working to motivate Nevada students to graduate high school and prepare them for college or the workforce.
thenevadaindependent.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:37 PM
In a new statement related Prez Trump giving federal immigration agencies the green light to make arrests at schools, CCSD said it doesn't check any student’s immigration status and is not responsible for enforcing federal immigration law.
January 23, 2025 at 2:18 AM
The Washoe County School Board has appointed retired Reno police officer and former Pyramid Lake Tribal Council chairman James "JJ" Phoenix to the District C seat previously held by now Sparks City Councilman Joe Rodriguez.
January 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
A spokesperson for Gov. Joe Lombardo confirmed to @thenvindy.bsky.social that Lombardo will join other governors for a dinner with President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.

More on the dinner from @politico.com:

www.politico.com/live-updates...
Republican governors head to Mar-a-Lago
It's a chance for them to reaffirm their loyalty — the biggest currency in Trump world.
www.politico.com
January 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
New CCSD Trustee Lydia Dominguez, an ex-M4L member, a Power2Parent leader and a Galena HS athlete are among the members of NV Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony's task force on women's sports.
January 7, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
Superintendent Pam Teel has much to be proud of as she wraps up the final days of her 29 years spent as an educator at the Lincoln County School District.

Read about here career here: thenevadaindependent.com/article/reti...
Retiring superintendent reflects on 29 years at Lincoln County schools - The Nevada Independent
Superintendent Pam Teel said her dedication to making sure all students receive the education they deserve and the support they need to bring out their potential has helped keep her in the district fo...
thenevadaindependent.com
December 26, 2024 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
As states across the nation grapple with a highly contagious strain of bird flu infecting livestock and poultry facilities, Nevada has thus far remained largely safe from infection, although a first case was discovered this month.

Read the full story here: thenevadaindependent.com/article/indy...
Indy Explains: How bird flu is affecting Nevada - The Nevada Independent
The rampant spread of bird flu has led to increasing commercial egg prices, a declaration of emergency in a neighboring state and extra safety precautions in Nevada.
thenevadaindependent.com
December 23, 2024 at 5:33 PM
ICYMI: Yesterday, NV's top Senate Dem announced a sweeping K-12 edu bill which includes
🍎 funding universal pre-K
🍎 continuing $500M fund for educator raises
🍎 Adding accountability measures for districts (looking at you, CCSD), charters and privates
thenevadaindependent.com/article/top-...
Top Nevada Senate Democrat proposes universal pre-K, continued teacher raises - The Nevada Independent
Though the proposed legislation will likely have a more than $500 million price tag, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro said it should save the state money in the future and lead to better acade...
thenevadaindependent.com
December 19, 2024 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
AP just posted jobs for the following positions:

- Mississippi Videojournalist
- Indiana Videojournalist
- Vermont Videojournalist
- Rhode Island General Assignment Reporter
- Egypt News Director
- South Dakota General Assignment Reporter
- Delaware Videojournalist

#journalismjobs
December 16, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Today's Indy Education newsletter ate and left no crumbs.
No, but seriously had such a fun time checking out SECTA's culinary program & student restaurant. If you haven't been the food and service are outstanding. thenevadaindependent.com/article/indy...
Indy Education: High school program heats up students’ passion for culinary arts - The Nevada Independent
The career education programs recently attracted the attention of Colorado's governor who is spread heading an initiative to prepare students for the workforce.
thenevadaindependent.com
December 16, 2024 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
My colleague @jackiemader.bsky.social wrote a story a few years ago on recess punishment. It's definitely a thing though some states/districts ban or restrict the practice: hechingerreport.org/is-recess-a-...
December 14, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Reno attorney Joey Gilbert is on his way out as the Douglas County School District's legal counsel less than two years after his controversial hiring. thenevadaindependent.com/article/joey...
Joey Gilbert resigning as Douglas County schools’ legal counsel - The Nevada Independent
Reno attorney Joey Gilbert's resignation ends more than a year of work in the position marked by debate over his experience and questions about whether he was overcharging.
thenevadaindependent.com
December 12, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
Nevada's youth mental health services are the worst in the nation.

For @thenvindy.bsky.social, @tabithamueller.bsky.social writes, with nowhere to go but up, the state has made progress to address mental health but a lack of sustainable funding threatens care.

🔗: bit.ly/49ux8Z4
December 10, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
www.the74million.org/article/left...

This year, I got to spend months reporting a story about a problem so pervasive in schools — and so expected — that often parents don’t report it, despite the incredible harm it does to them and their kids.

1/ 🧵
Left Powerless: Non-English–Speaking Parents Denied Vital Translation Services
Flouting federal laws, schools routinely fail to provide qualified interpreters. Districts say they lack the resources ‘no matter how hard we try.’
www.the74million.org
December 4, 2024 at 6:27 PM
The Washoe County School Board votes 6-0 in favor of a pilot program to limit students' cellphones and other electronic devices. The district's updated policy includes exceptions for students w/ special needs who need a devices as part of their accommodations
November 27, 2024 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Rocio Hernandez
Just IN: Gov. Cox announces a Utah initiative on "deporting illegal immigrants" with a focus on crime and public safety.
November 26, 2024 at 3:25 PM