Washoe County School Board Chooses Adam Mayberry as President

New Leadership for Washoe County School Board

The Washoe County School Board has elected Adam Mayberry as its new president for the 2026 term. This decision was made during a recent meeting, where Mayberry succeeded Beth Smith, who served as board president for three years.

Mayberry first joined the school board in 2021 as a representative of District F, which covers the eastern part of Washoe County. He won a four-year term in 2022, marking his continued commitment to the community.

As a single father to two students who will graduate from Spanish Springs High School in 2025, Mayberry has always prioritized the well-being of children. He is known for his advocacy for students with disabilities and for promoting school safety. In a 2025 interview with the Reno Gazette Journal, he expressed the common concern of parents: “I’m not unlike every parent who drops their kids off in the morning and thinks, ‘Let today not be the day something bad happens.’”

Mayberry, who uses a cochlear implant, has taken pride in supporting students who are hard of hearing or deaf. One of his most memorable moments on the board was when these students presented to the board, showcasing their abilities and resilience.

In addition to his work with students with special needs, Mayberry was instrumental in establishing the first aviation program at the district’s Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology. This program offers hands-on training in flight simulation, drone operation, and airport operations, preparing students for future careers in aviation.

When Mayberry was nominated as president, he emphasized the importance of different leadership styles. “Different leadership styles bring different strengths to this board,” he said. While making decisions for students and teachers has been straightforward, he acknowledged that financial challenges remain a significant obstacle. “Looking forward, the toughest issues will be the potential fiscal issues as there is a lack of commitment in Nevada for public education,” he added.

Trustee Alex Woodley was named vice president, and Christine Hull was appointed as the board clerk.

A New Chapter for Mayberry

Mayberry announced last year that he would not seek re-election to the school board but instead would run for a position on the Sparks City Council. He plans to retire this summer from his role as communications manager for the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

“My heart and soul would remain in this role until the last hour of this term,” Mayberry told fellow trustees when he announced his decision to step down from the board.

He is now running for the Sparks Ward 4 seat currently held by Charlene Bybee. Bybee is also running for mayor against incumbent Ed Lawson. Ward 4 covers the northeast part of Spanish Springs, including areas east of Vista Boulevard such as Golden Eagle Regional Park and the Red Hawk area.

If elected to the city council, Mayberry would have to resign from the school board in November. This situation mirrors that of former board president Angie Taylor, who stepped down in 2022 after being elected to the Nevada Assembly.

A Legacy of Leadership

Since 1955, the Washoe County School Board has had a long history of leaders who have shaped the educational landscape of the region. Here is a list of past board presidents:

• Robert Drake (1955)
• Archie Clayton (1956–1957)
• Edward L. Pine (1958–1959, 1968, 1973)
• Edward C. Reed (1959, 1961, 1963, 1969)
• Fred S. Keiper, Jr. (1960)
• Ernest M. Johnson (1962)
• Brent G. Abbott (1964)
• William O’Brien III (1965, 1971, 1977)
• Llyod Diedrichsen (1966, 1972, 1978)
• Frank Stokes (1967)
• Elizabeth Lenz (1970, 1975, 1980)
• Robert McQueen (1974, 1979, 1985)
• Jerry Carr Whitehead (1976, 1982)
• Virginia S. Palmer (1981)
• William Bowden (1983)
• J. Kay Louden (1984, 1989)
• Robert D. Whittemore (1986, 1990)
• Kevin Christensen (1987)
• Edward Van Gorder (1988)
• Michael A. Wright (1991, 1993, 1994)
• Doranna Goodnight (1992)
• Robert Bentley (1995–1997)
• Marilyn Fendelander (1998)
• Anne Loring (1999–2000)
• Nancy Hollinger (2001–2002)
• Jonnie Pullman (2003–2004)
• Daniel Carne (2005)
• Lezlie Porter (2006)
• Jody Ruggiero (2007)
• Barbara Price (2008)
• Barbara Clark (2009, 2013–2014)
• Estela Gutierrez (2010)
• Barbara McLaury (2011)
• Ken Grein (2012)
• John Mayer (2015)
• Angela D. Taylor (2016–2017, 2021–2022)
• Katy Simon Holland (2018–2019)
• Malena Raymond (2020)
• Beth Smith (2023–2025)
• Adam Mayberry (2026)