Dr. Steve Canavero, interim executive director for Nevada’s newly created Education Service Center (ESC), briefed the State Board on Dec. 10 about the ESC's role as a statewide intermediary to provide district supports and participate in school and district improvement work required by SB 460.

Canavero said the center will be an independent state entity with a statewide footprint (an approach he likened to Alaska’s statewide model) and will perform three initial tasks: a need‑sensing series of district conversations and surveys, a situational analysis to map existing providers and state resources, and an operational plan to guide launch and early supports. "We can start to roll on supports," he said, noting the superintendent asked the ESC to tackle the district reporting burden as an early priority.

Board members discussed the qualifications and time commitment required of the board’s representative. Canavero said he expects the founding ESC board to meet monthly with virtual meetings, require homework between sessions and be actively engaged in data synthesis and prioritization; he estimated the founding period work could be intensive for six months.

After nominations and discussion, the State Board nominated and appointed Member Angela Orr to represent the State Board on the ESC founding board; the motion passed with one abstention. Member Ford declined to serve and voiced broader policy concerns about centralization of authority in some education service agency models.

Why it matters: The ESC will be an early mechanism for delivering supports to districts and for reducing duplicative reporting burdens; its initial priorities and composition will shape how districts access technical assistance and resource coordination across Nevada.

What's next: Canavero will continue district outreach, convene the appointed founding board, begin monthly meetings, and report back to the State Board on progress and the ESC operational plan.