Cyndi Loza

Two challengers to the two-term incumbent on the Washoe County school board from District A say change is necessary, while he says experience will be crucial during difficult economic times.

“I think what this election this year is going to be about is change,” said Celana Wasson, a retired teacher running in the Aug.12 primary. “I think it’s time for a change because what we have been doing is not working.”

The school board will have at least four new members after the Nov. 4 election.

As the district faces budget cuts to K-12 education, incumbent Dan Carne said he is concerned with the experience of the new board.

“That’s a huge responsibility to put on two board members were I to lose,” Carne said. “They’re going to be explaining how to do (something) instead of doing it.”

Also opposing Carne is Herb Primosch, an engineer at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The district includes south and southwest Reno and Incline Village. The term is fours years and the pay $750 a month.

In December, Gov. Jim Gibbons ordered a 4.5 percent statewide cut that reduced funding to school districts by $95 million over the next two years. In May, Gibbons asked agencies and school districts to present “what-if” budgets with 14 percent cuts to operating costs.

“It’s very critical that they have experience on the board when it comes to potential cuts that the governor is asking for,” Carne said. “Now that’s not a reason to vote for Dan Carne but that’s something to think about that’s a reality facing the board.”

Carne said he wants to continue to “imbed accountability both in the educational and financial side of the school district.”

Carne said he wants to help create a system of accountability in various departments and schools. The system includes setting goals in departments and schools and reporting progress annually.

Carne also said he wants to continue to push for more vocational schools.

Wasson wants more educators on the school board.

“I just think that makes sense,” she said. “Especially, ones that have touched the lives of children everyday for 30 years.”

Wasson is a certified teacher in Nevada, worked as a teacher for district middle and elementary schools for about 30 years and is a part-time instructor at the University of Phoenix Reno campus.

“People working with children, they know what’s going on in the school district,” she said. “So, they can bring unique knowledge to the school board.”

The board will have enough experience if loses, Wasson said.

“I think we’re going to have enough board member experience on their already,” she said, citing Trustees Barbara Clark and Nancy Hollinger. “If he doesn’t win, I think they can handle it.”

Primosch said he was inspired to run to oppose sales tax and vehicle registration fee increases urged in April by a state-sanctioned Washoe County committee on school revenue.

“I’m opposed to that, so I thought I’d put my two cents in,” Primosch said. “It’s not very transparent and there seems to be, in that particular set up, no accountability. Until (the school district) can be more transparent in what they want to spend their tax moneys for I don’t think they should be looking for applying for more taxes.”

Primosch said he also supports mentoring programs and Spanish immersion classes, where classes are taught in both English and Spanish.