Officials from the Clark County School District presented data to the Nevada State Board of Education on Dec. 10 that show academic gains and ongoing operational challenges, particularly transportation implications of potential district‑wide school start time changes.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jesse Wells told the board the district has seen increases in English language arts and math proficiency and positive movement on Nevada School Performance Framework star ratings, with 136 schools improving year‑to‑year and several schools increasing by two or three stars. "We had a significant gain in CCSD of 5.1% in our overall graduation rate across the district," Wells said.

Felicia Gonzales, another CCSD deputy superintendent, described next steps in a strategic 'core‑4' plan emphasizing pre‑K expansion, early literacy, middle school math and workforce/college readiness. The district added about 500 Nevada Ready Pre‑K seats this year and reported progress reducing teacher vacancies from roughly 600 to below 300.

Several board members asked about a district‑wide survey on school start times; Gonzales said the second survey had elicited heavy participation and initially returned about 30,000 responses. She warned that while a 30‑minute shift scenario could be implemented at no cost, other start‑time options would likely require substantial new resources. "The other scenarios would cost approximately $15,000,000 for additional buses and would be approximately $1,500,000 for the additional drivers per year," Gonzales said.

Board members probed potential partnerships with regional transit providers and innovative transportation alternatives; Gonzales said the district already partners with the Regional Transportation Commission but noted the commission itself faces route reductions.

The presentation also touched on facilities planning, including a remaining bond balance the district is considering for renovation and consolidation needs. Gonzales said CCSD is co‑designing a long‑term strategic plan and will hold community 'dream sessions' and stakeholder interviews through January and February.

Why it matters: The district's reported academic improvements and the fiscal choices tied to start‑time reforms could affect staffing, transportation budgets and student schedules across Nevada's largest district.

What's next: The board and NDE will continue to monitor CCSD's strategic plan and potential budget impacts of any start‑time changes; CCSD has invited board members to attend planned community sessions and to review its one‑pager and survey resources.