Clark County School District Deputy Superintendent Pedro Martinez has been tentatively named superintendent of Reno's Washoe County School District.
District officials confirmed Friday that Martinez would take the place of Dr. Heath Morrison, who is departing to lead Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools in North Carolina. The selection is pending contract negotiations.
Martinez topped a field of five finalists that included two internal candidates and two administrators from outside Nevada.
He was also a finalist for a superintendent job in Philadelphia.
During the meeting, Board members praised Martinez's leadership experience in district management, his past history of service in WCSD, his knowledge of developing and implementing the District's strategic plan, his desire and excitement to help the District continue to succeed and grow, and his ties to and experience in Nevada.
"We are excited to welcome Pedro Martinez to the Washoe County School District. In addition to strong leadership, Pedro brings a tremendous amount of passion for high-quality education, our 63,000 children, and this community. As we continue to move our school district forward, we know Pedro will continue the important work in our strategic plan and will do that work by talking with everyone in our schools and community," said Board President Ken Grein. "We are thrilled to welcome him, and we know our successes will continue as he assumes this critical role."
"The opportunity to become superintendent of Washoe County School District is a great honor," Martinez said. "I am anxious to continue working with the community toward the goals set under the strategic plan. My ties to education in Northern Nevada are strong, and I look forward to working with this dynamic team of professionals to further the education of every child in Washoe County."
During the meeting this morning, the Board also appointed Chief Strategies Officer Kristen McNeill to serve as interim superintendent until Martinez starts in Washoe County.
Outgoing WCSD superintendent Dr. Morrison said he is confident the successes seen during the past few years will continue under the leadership of Martinez.
"The Board of Trustees has found its next leader to continue the important work happening in the Washoe County School District. I was pleased to bring Pedro to WCSD as deputy superintendent, and I am pleased he will continue the work we started together several years ago for the 63,000 children in Washoe County schools," Dr. Heath Morrison said. "I am confident Pedro and the Board of Trustees will continue to build on the strong foundation in Washoe County with continued success in the future. I will support Pedro and WCSD during this time of transition in any way I can."
(The Associated Press and Washoe County School District contributed to this report.)
