Pershing County High School maintained its four-star school rating, expanded dual-credit opportunities and earned statewide recognition for student achievement, Principal Jonathan Reynolds told trustees during his annual report at the May 19 Pershing County School Board meeting.
Reynolds highlighted improvements in college and career readiness, freshman credit sufficiency and participation in dual-credit courses, saying those efforts contributed to Pershing County High School maintaining its four-star rating under Nevada’s school accountability system.
Reynolds said students collectively earned nearly 130 college credits this year through courses offered with Great Basin College, including English 101 and 102, psychology and computer science.
“What we have been doing at Pershing County High School is good for our kids,” Reynolds said. “It’s giving them options.”
Reynolds also highlighted the school’s platinum recognition for its multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and positive behavior initiatives, saying the award reflects continued work in student support, mental health and school culture. He noted that platinum recognition is unusual at the high school level.
He also recognized student success in athletics and extracurricular programs, including FFA, DECA, National Honor Society and senior seminar activities focused on career and college readiness.
Trustees recognized the high school’s 2A Academic State Championship team, made up of 27 leadership students who maintained a combined GPA of 3.72 while competing against 14 other schools statewide.
Advisor Gabby Switzer introduced the team. Trustees and Superintendent Dennis Holmes shook each student’s hand as those in attendance applauded the accomplishment.
Trustees also approved a contract amendment raising Superintendent Dennis Holmes’ annual salary from $175,048 to $180,000 effective July 1.
Former Pershing County School District Superintendent Russell Fecht, who assisted with negotiations alongside trustees Melissa Shields and Mike Mancebo, said the adjustment followed several months of discussions and reflected superintendent salary ranges across Nevada.
“We have somebody entering his third year,” Fecht said. “We know and acknowledge that the board two years ago took the lowest end of the salary at that time.”
Fecht said superintendent openings across Nevada have recently offered starting salaries ranging from $175,000 to $185,000 and said Holmes’ salary had not kept pace with increases approved for other district employee groups.
Board members also approved policy updates related to mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse, critical-needs employment, school health services and parent notification and reviewed a first reading of a residency verification policy.
Trustee Cindy Plummer said trustees recently completed four days of board governance training with Dr. Todd Cutler at the district office.
Holmes also updated the board on district initiatives, including a recently awarded district improvement grant worth approximately $150,000 that must be spent before June 30.
He said the district submitted a corrective action plan tied to food service operations and will continue working with the Nevada Department of Education to address concerns related to the meal program.
Safety Coordinator Dan Murphy also presented on district policy and risk management efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining written procedures as staffing changes over time.
During public comment, Lovelock Police Officer Phillip Dickerman urged the board to reconsider approving one employee recommendation, alleging the individual had previously stolen from a local youth football program. Dickerman did not identify the individual by name.
Board members did not discuss the allegation in detail, noting that hiring recommendations are handled by district administration.
The meeting also included student presentations from Lovelock Elementary School and Pershing County Middle School and updates on end-of-year activities.
The final day of school is June 4 and Pershing County High School graduation is June 6.
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