Cyndi Loza

First-grade teacher Celana Wasson wants to bring change to the Washoe County school board, while two-term incumbent Dan Carne says experience will be crucial during difficult economic times.

“The school board will still have two members that have been on the board for eight years,” Wasson said, citing trustees Barbara Clark and Nancy Hollinger.

“I respect their knowledge and (they) are experienced enough that I think they can train the new board members.”

Carne, who represents District A in south and southwest Reno and Incline Village, said experienced board members are especially needed to face more potential cuts to K-12 education.

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.

“With the huge cuts were talking about having to make in the next couple of months, we need someone on the board that is familiar with cuts and familiar with accountability and that makes sure that, if the government forces cuts on us, we’re finding the least painful places to cut,” said Carne, 59, adding there will be at least four new members after the Nov. 4 election.

Wasson, 54, said experience is only crucial there is something to show for it.

“Experience only counts if the experience that you had has created something successful,” Wasson said. “Is the educational system better in Washoe County (since) eight years ago when he took office? I don’t think so.”

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

“I think it’s important that based on my strong accountability stance that I be there to finish and fully incorporate this new plan into the district versus hand it over to somebody who hasn’t worked on the plan and doesn’t know what it is,” Carne said.

Wasson wants more educators on the school board.

“The Washoe County School District is about education. Board members should be educators,” said Wasson, who’s a first-grade teacher at Little Flower Catholic School and has worked as a teacher for district middle and elementary schools for about 30 years.

“We have the knowledge, have the experience and we have the professional degrees to make the best decisions for the students in Washoe County,” Wasson said.