Washoe County school board approves funding for Stead Elementary rebuild

The Washoe County School Board of Trustees unanimously approved additional funding for the reconstruction of Stead Elementary School. The decision was made during a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday.

"We are investing in every corner of Washoe County, and our neighbors in the North Valleys deserve a high-quality, modern learning environment that represents the value that their children bring to the community," said School Board President Beth Smith.

The school is being rebuilt to address "aging infrastructure and overcrowding," according to the district's website, as part of the Facility Modernization Plan (FMP). The new school will be constructed on the nearby Silver Dollar Lane property.

Tami Zimmerman, Washoe County School District's Chief Facilities Management Officer, presented the plan to the board. "In the facility modernization plan, this is a replacement school, and then we will repurpose the existing Stead Elementary School into something of use for the community or WCSD needs," said Zimmerman.

The board awarded a $54 million bid to Clark/Sullivan Construction, with an additional $8.16 million to cover increased construction costs. Clark/Sullivan Construction has completed several projects for the district in the past.

"The board approved the bid to Clark and Sullivan, which then allows us to proceed with the contract to them to actually start the construction of that school," Zimmerman said.

The new two-story, 88,568-square-foot building will feature 30 classrooms and accommodate 738 students. Zimmerman noted that the expansion will provide more space for special programs, allowing students to thrive. "It will also allow a little bit of an expansion. They have some special programs out there that they need those classrooms for. And then, it would be in a neighborhood that they would walk to instead of across Stead Boulevard," she said.

The project is expected to be completed by August 2026.