The Carson City School District and its governing board of trustees earned high honors at the Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB) Annual Conference in Reno this past weekend. District employees and trustees were heavily acknowledged among the 17 districts statewide.
Of note, Executive Administrative Assistant Renae Cortez was recognized as the Board Administrative Assistant of the Year, Trustee Richard Varner earnedDirector of the Year, Vice President Trustee Mike Walker earned Individual School Board Member of the Year and Clerk Trustee Molly Walt was recognized as theNew School Board Member of the Year.
Once a year, NASB recognizes the achievements and contributions of school boards, school trustees, teachers, administrators, educational advocates and others from across the state of Nevada. There are more than 20,000 educators who teach approximately 486,682 students from more than 763 schools in the state of Nevada. To be singled out and recognized among these ranks is truly an honor.
The Board Administrative Assistant of the Year award category recognizes the vital role board secretaries, administrative assistants and other support staff play in working behind the scenes with local school board members and superintendents to facilitate board decision-making and activities to improve student achievement, extend family engagement and/or enhance community awareness. Mrs. Cortez was nominated by the Carson City and Lyon County School District Boards of Trustees.
As stated in the nomination narrative, Mrs. Cortez has more than 20 years of dedicated service. She is not only the backbone of the Carson City School District governance operations but also the quiet force that keeps the gears of the district leadership turning smoothly. Her deep institutional knowledge, from legal compliance and policy processes to board protocol and strategic communication, makes her an indispensable resource for both the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent’s Office.
The Director of the Year award recognizes the consistent, effective communication skills demonstrated during meetings of the NASB Board of Directors as well as promotion of leadership skills and strategies for recognizing and rewarding student, administrator, educational staff, school and district achievement.
Trustee Varner is a retired law enforcement officer who brings a well-balanced, respectful demeanor to serve the Carson City School District in the best interest of its students. For the last three years, Trustee Varner has represented the Carson City School Board at the state-level as NASB Director. He is an active member, and his attendance is consistently strong. His commitment is reflected in his frequent visits to our schools to speak with staff and students, attend school functions and stay informed on professional development trainings in the district. Through his active involvement and genuine demeanor, Trustee Varner has earned trust throughout the district.
Additionally, Trustee Varner has served in the leadership team for the Carson City School Board, as Clerk, Vice President and as President. During his role as President, he guided the board through the hiring of a new superintendent. His leadership was instrumental in valuing everyone’s input to hire the best candidate who genuinely had the best interest in the students’ academic success and social well-being. He accomplished this while keeping the fiscal health of the district at the forefront of his efforts.
The Individual School Board Member of the Year award recognizes the consistent use and development of effective boardsmanship skills and acknowledges productive involvement in raising the level of community support for schools and the promotion of leadership and successful practices, which improve student achievement while advancing the course of public education in the community, the district or the state.
Vice President Trustee Walker brings exceptional professional credentials, a deep commitment to student success and a strong history of leadership to the Carson City School Board. His distinguished educational background and extensive experience in both classroom instruction and educational leadership uniquely equips him to advocate for students and educators alike. His teaching roles have ranged from English Language Learner teacher to third-grade teacher, and he has served as a Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, and ultimately as Assistant Superintendent in Churchill County School District. Throughout these roles, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, equity and continuous improvement.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Walker is deeply engaged in community and statewide service. He serves as Chair-Elect of the Pacific Region National School Boards Association, President of the Nevada Association of School Boards, a member of the State Board of Education and a member of the Nevada Teachers and Leaders Council. His service on these boards reflects his statewide influence and his passion for advancing education policy and supporting school governance at the highest levels. Locally, he served as the President of Food for Thought, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring food security for students in Carson City for several years and is currently serving as past president.
The New School Board Member of the Year award recognizes the dedicated service of Nevada’s newest school trustees. Clerk Trustee Walt was elected in 2022 to the Carson City School Board of Trustees, and her experience as a former City Supervisor has made her an invaluable member. As a public officer, she’s knowledgeable of the statutes of Nevada. Most importantly, she’s ethical and committed to putting her energy where it truly matters to benefit all students. Additionally, as a former teacher who worked for the district for 19 years, she is very compassionate about their hard work and dedication to ensure every student is empowered with essential skills to reach their highest potential.
This year, Mrs. Walt has stepped into a leadership role and is serving as the Clerk for the Board, and she has been instrumental in the oversight of the budget for the district. Since the beginning of her term, Mrs. Walt has been actively engaged, especially during the Board meetings. She’s comfortable asking tough questions and making strong recommendations to improve the policies and regulations for the district. She’s also very observant of the physical environment at every school site to ensure the students are safe. In addition to her involvement with the school board, she’s also serving on the following committees: Nevada Lifespan Respite Care Coalition (chair), Carson City Parks and Recreation Commission (chair), Nevada Commission on Aging (commissioner), Nevada Volunteers (commissioner), Dementia Friendly Carson City (co-facilitator), Douglas County Sheriff’s TRIAD Committee (member), Stakeholder Group for Quad-County Community Health Improvement Plan (facilitator). She has also accepted to serve as president in 2026 for the Carson City Rotary. Mrs. Walt was also one of 10 recipients of the Women of Distinction award from the Chamber of Commerce.
ABOUT Carson City School District
Located in Nevada’s capital, Carson City School District offers public education to approximately 7,300 students throughout Carson City. The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 1 comprehensive high school. Carson City School District boasts many successes including impressive graduation rates, strict safety measures, programs for gifted students and advanced-placement classes, among several others. For more information, visitcarsoncityschools.com.
