Eureka schools excited for the new year

With students returning to school on Aug. 18, the Aug. 12 Eureka County School Board meeting was full of anticipation for the new school year. Elementary Schools principal Lisa Hutchison shared, “We had our National Night Out both in Eureka and Crescent Valley. I think it was a great success, and it was really nice getting to see all the families come to the event.” 

Hutchison said staff met and went over the Nevada Alternative Performance Framework field study they’re doing. 

“We also met with our paraprofessionals and educational aids and just kind of discussed the path that we’re going to be taking this year in regards to support for our students,” Hutchison said.

Eureka County High School principal and athletic director John Glover welcomed 154 7th through 12th-grade students back to campus on Aug. 19. The school welcomed two new teachers this year, elementary and high school music teacher Annesa Ashcroft and high school English teacher Trevor Rikalo.

Eureka County High School staff hope to continue another great year, preparing students for success. 

“Our hope is for students and teachers to continue doing a great job,” shared Principal Glover. “We want students walking out the door career- and college-ready.” 

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, staff had time in their classrooms and attended an AI training in the afternoon. An open house at Eureka Elementary was on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. Crescent Valley Elementary School’s open house was held on Monday, Aug. 25, at 3 p.m. The Eureka High School open house was on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The football field was treated with walnut shavings, “which goes into the dirt,” Superintendent Tate Else said. They’ve ordered a machine for maintenance.  

Also, the slurry seal was done the weekend of Aug. 29 and 30, so all parking lots will be closed that weekend. 

Else noted the search for a state school superintendent has been narrowed down to six candidates. On Aug. 28 and 29, he attended the superintendent review. 

“The State Board of Education will recommend three candidates to the governor,” and he will appoint a candidate from that point or choose whether he would like the search to continue.

Else said, “We had a great first day back today. The Crescent Valley staff all came down today and met at the Eureka Elementary School. I think it’s going to be a very exciting school year. It is crazy that the summer is over.” 

Else is working with Kagan to do an in-district training on the first professional development training day, Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Eureka County School Board approved:

• Out-of-state travel for the Diamond Valley FFA and Advisors to attend the 2025 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana at an approximate cost of $17,856.40 budgeted for in the General Fund. Diamond Mountain FFA was recognized at the state level as a Superior Chapter and earned first place in the National Chapter Award competition. They are competing for national awards and will be recognized at an awards ceremony at the National Convention as well as competing in the National FFA Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Event.
• The district’sTesting Procedure Manual for the 2025-2026  School Year.
• The Nevada Educator Performance Framework.
• Tabling the Eureka County School District’s School Improvement Plans for the 2025-2026 school year.

The next school board meeting was scheduled for Sept. 9. Check EurekaSentinel.com for the latest school news.

Miranda Corona contributed to this report.