Washoe County Schools Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Washoe County Schools full-time for less than a year

Pros – I work for an excellent administrator who works hard to provide our staff with current professional development.

Cons – WCSD is a disjointed system. In my opinion, the district would have greater success if it shrunk in size and broke into a few smaller districts.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Washoe County Schools as a contractor for more than 3 years

Pros – Retirement benefits are good, but be aware of Social Security offsets. The students are generally great and respectful, teaching colleagues are generally good to work with.

Cons – Teachers have virtually no rights and are disposed of very easily of if a principal doesn't like them. There is no real, effective union in place; the "association" is more often than not in bed with the school district. Principals and other administrators are backed to the hilt, and, if you challenge a termination, you will find the hearings are rigged in violation of the law. School district does not follow the law, and you must have access to an outside attorney to salvage your career with them or settle outside of court.

Nepotism and cronyism are still the rule in hiring at this district despite "reforms" that were put in place to avoid it. The only jobs available to outsiders are either high-needs jobs or jobs nobody else wants.

Advice to Senior Management – The district needs to FIRE--not promote, demote, or reassign--principals and other administrators who screw up. Scapegoating teachers for the screw-ups of principals is not the answer, nor is giving principals second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chances.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Washoe County Schools part-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Lots of opportunities for advancement and lots of trainings available. Very tech savvy.

Cons – Lower pay than other districts in Nevada, despite size and needy student population.

Current Employee – been working at Washoe County Schools

Pros – A lot of great people work for WCSD and the pay is fair. Plenty of opportunities for lateral movement if you end up at a school you don't like.

Cons – Community does not support the school district and leadership (in the counseling department) sold out all of the counselors a couple years ago. School counselors now act as paper pushers and file babysitters instead of actually spending time with kids that need help or guidance.

Advice to Senior Management – Let school counselors spend time with students instead of making them administer pet projects like RTI and PBS. These programs do have merit but why waste a counselors time babysitting files when somebody making much less could do the same job and clear up the counselors time to actually counsel and guide students.

Stop promoting worthless principals just to hide them from the public. These worthless principals end up pushing worthless agendas.

Current Employee – been working at Washoe County Schools

Pros – Sick time is reasonable, Vacation time is generous. Health benefits are better than most. Accountability is not expected and job performance is not measured.

Cons – Can't actually use sick or vacation time without a battle. Very unprofessional environment. Treated with disrespect and often bullied by senior leadership.

Advice to Senior Management – Actually create a culture of respect and expect everyone to do their jobs. Eliminate the good ole boys once and for all. Stop eliminating the workers and hiring Directors. Learn to communicate.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Washoe County Schools

Pros – You don't have any choice if you want to teach in Reno, NV: they are a monopoly school district.

Cons – The administrators are overbearing and there's a huge administrator to teacher ratio, so your every move is questioned.

Advice to Senior Management – Teachers are highly trained and experienced, so don't treat them in such an authoritarian manner.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend