Carson City superintendent receives ‘superior’ rating

Richard Stokes is performing a superior job as superintendent of the Carson City School District, according to the review by the board of trustees.

“We’re very fortunate to have you,” said trustee Ron Swirczek.

Members of the board individually ranked Stokes during Tuesday’s meeting on his performance in 10 categories.

Trustees ranked him superior in six of the categories: Leadership and District Culture, Employee Relations, Organizational Management, Human Resources Management, Values and Ethics Leadership and Financial Management.

“I think we’re doing a good job here,” said Trustee Joe Cacioppo about the Organizational Management category, which includes gathering and analyzing data as well as putting emergency plans into place. “I think Mr. Stokes is keeping us well informed.”

In the remaining four categories — Community and Public Relations, Educational Programs, Instructional Leadership and Reporting on Empower Carson City 2017 — he receiving a rating of very satisfactory.

Trustee Laurel Crossman said she’d like to see an improvement in the district’s public relations.

“I think we can still do a little more with our media opportunities,” she said. “We can do more in that area.”

In some areas, trustees disagreed.

Ron Swirczek gave Stokes a very satisfactory rating in Instructional Leadership.

“We don’t have that culture of achievement,” he said. “Something more needs to be done. I think we’re nearly there.”

Candace Stowell disagreed, citing the district’s move to full-day kindergarten and the one-to-one technology rollout.

“These are all things that are happening in our schools,” she said. “It not just about a test score. It’s what is going on in the classroom, and these children are learning. That doesn’t always reflect on test scores.”

Stokes overall rating averaged out to a superior.

“I appreciate your confidence in me and my team,” Stokes told board members. And he shared the accolades with his employees.

“I’d just like to thank those who work closely with me,” he said. “It’s a labor of love. It’s a lot of thought, it’s a lot of reflection. And thanks to our staff. We are asking so much of them, and they work so hard.”