Churchill County trustees approve Dina Pineda as middle school principal
May 01, 2025 | CHURCHILL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Nevada
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The Churchill County School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to hire Dr. Dina Pineda as principal of Churchill County Middle School after Superintendent Daryl Parsons recommended her following an April 26 interview process.
Parsons told the board he and an interview committee reviewed candidates and conducted background checks, and recommended Pineda, who has worked in the district for seven years and served as the middle school’s vice principal for three years.
The hiring matters to parents and staff because the middle school has been the subject of ongoing concern about student behavior and academic performance. Parsons said the committee discussed ‘‘vision moving forward’’ and goals the district expects the principal to pursue.
Dr. Pineda addressed the board and outlined a 90-day plan she said would begin July 1 and run through November, focused on improving communication with staff, students and stakeholders and increasing community engagement at the school. "We want people to come see our school. We want people to be in our building. We wanna be able to brag about 650 South Main, and I'm ready for this challenge," she said.
Trustees asked questions and voiced both caution and support. Trustee Guerrero Goetzsch said she struggled at first with recommending an internal candidate given the school’s history but added she had done additional homework and had heard positive things about Pineda. "There will be a lot of, I think, watchful eyes, if you will," Guerrero Goetzsch said. Trustee McFadden moved to hire Pineda; Trustee Whitaker seconded the motion. President Malkovich called for a vote and announced the result as unanimous.
The board’s discussion distinguished between the superintendent’s recommendation and the board’s role in providing oversight: several trustees said they supported the superintendent’s authority to make staffing recommendations while reserving the right to hold the new principal accountable for improvements at the school. No additional policy actions, budget allocations or personnel contracts were discussed or approved as part of the motion.
The hire is effective beginning July 1, according to Pineda’s 90-day plan she presented to the board. Pineda also said she served seven years in the U.S. Army, a background she said will inform her leadership style.
The board returned to public comment and then adjourned. No public speakers addressed the principal hire during the meeting’s public-comment periods.
Parsons told the board he and an interview committee reviewed candidates and conducted background checks, and recommended Pineda, who has worked in the district for seven years and served as the middle school’s vice principal for three years.
The hiring matters to parents and staff because the middle school has been the subject of ongoing concern about student behavior and academic performance. Parsons said the committee discussed ‘‘vision moving forward’’ and goals the district expects the principal to pursue.
Dr. Pineda addressed the board and outlined a 90-day plan she said would begin July 1 and run through November, focused on improving communication with staff, students and stakeholders and increasing community engagement at the school. "We want people to come see our school. We want people to be in our building. We wanna be able to brag about 650 South Main, and I'm ready for this challenge," she said.
Trustees asked questions and voiced both caution and support. Trustee Guerrero Goetzsch said she struggled at first with recommending an internal candidate given the school’s history but added she had done additional homework and had heard positive things about Pineda. "There will be a lot of, I think, watchful eyes, if you will," Guerrero Goetzsch said. Trustee McFadden moved to hire Pineda; Trustee Whitaker seconded the motion. President Malkovich called for a vote and announced the result as unanimous.
The board’s discussion distinguished between the superintendent’s recommendation and the board’s role in providing oversight: several trustees said they supported the superintendent’s authority to make staffing recommendations while reserving the right to hold the new principal accountable for improvements at the school. No additional policy actions, budget allocations or personnel contracts were discussed or approved as part of the motion.
The hire is effective beginning July 1, according to Pineda’s 90-day plan she presented to the board. Pineda also said she served seven years in the U.S. Army, a background she said will inform her leadership style.
The board returned to public comment and then adjourned. No public speakers addressed the principal hire during the meeting’s public-comment periods.
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