Latest news with #JhoneEbert
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
CCSD superintendent makes history as 1st woman, Asian American hired for position
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Last month, the Clark County School District hired its first woman and Asian American as superintendent for the nation's fifth-largest school district. CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert spoke to 8 News Now about how her life experiences have made her a better leader. 'You know I pinch myself. I know a lot of people say that,' Ebert said on Apr. 10. The school district's board of trustees selected her in March in a unanimous vote and then in April both sides reached a deal on a four-year, $385,000 contract. Ebert is from Southern California and shared her rags-to-riches story with trustees in February when she was interviewing for the superintendent job. 'My mom was 18 when I was born. My sister was born 18 months later. And then my father left us 18 months after that,' Ebert told the board on Feb. 25. 'When you think about a 21-year-old with two kids on our own, she leaned in on services that were made available,' Ebert continued. 'She made sure that we went out. We went to free cultural events, made sure that we went to the museum, the Los Angeles Museum of Art, and that we were exposed to the community.' Ebert leads a district where 70% of schools are Title 1, which means they serve low-income students. Ebert grew up in poverty and her family is Filipino and Hawaiian. Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, Hawaiians-Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans represent about 81% of CCSD students. CCSD is a different district compared to when Ebert first began in 1990 at Von Tobel Middle School as a math teacher. 'We are an extremely diverse school district. When I started, it was not diverse. At that time, probably 70, 80% white identified and then all the other races. Now, we know that's completely flipped. What's happened in our community happened so very fast,' she said. CCSD students come from 130 different countries and speak more than 100 languages. 'We need to understand those things about each other, so that we can meet each other where we're at,' Ebert said. Ebert told 8 News Now she sees strengths in differences. She spent the last six years as state superintendent of public instruction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nevada seeks community input for new state superintendent
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Nevada State Board of Education invites community members to weigh in as the search for the state's next Superintendent of Public Instruction begins. On Monday, the board announced the launch of a public survey designed to gather input from stakeholders across Nevada. The goal is to identify the qualities, experiences, and priorities most important for the next leader of the state's public education system. The position became open when former State Superintendent Jhone Ebert became the new superintendent for the Clark County School District. 'The selection of our next State Superintendent is a critical decision that will significantly impact the future of education in Nevada,' Dr. Katherine Dockweiler, president of the Nevada State Board of Education, said. 'We firmly believe that the perspectives of our community members are invaluable in this process.' The Superintendent of Public Instruction is tasked with setting statewide policies, managing educational resources, and ensuring that schools meet state and federal requirements. The superintendent also works closely with school districts, educators, lawmakers, families, and community groups to promote student success across the state. According to state law, Governor Joe Lombardo will appoint the new superintendent from a list of three candidates submitted by the State Board of Education. The survey is available online and will remain open through Monday, May 6. Click here to take the survey. The board is encouraging all Nevadans, including parents, students, educators, administrators, business leaders, and community members, to participate and share their perspectives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
CCSD superintendent addresses new security measures, funding for student success
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The new Clark County School District superintendent said money is key to boosting student outcomes. Jhone Ebert had a one-on-one interview with 8 News Now on Thursday where she addressed several things including new security measures, cell phone signal pouches, diversity and equity, and state and federal funding. The conversation has been edited for clarity. 8NN: One of the things we wanted to talk about was during your interview for superintendent back in February, you shared this very powerful story about growing up in a single-parent household, with your young mother. And so I want you to talk a little bit about that. You're the first woman superintendent. The first, Asian as well, about how your story, how you can use your experience to connect with children who I'm sure here in the school district maybe can relate to your childhood. Ebert: Thank you. Joshua. Yeah. There are many children in our school district that have a similar setting as I did growing up and I was very thankful. You know, my mom was 18 when I was born. My sister was born 18 months later. And when you think about a 21-year-old with two kids on our own, she leaned in on services that were made available, and she made sure that we went out. I shared during the interview we went to free cultural events, made sure that we went to the museum, the Los Angeles Museum of Art, and that we were exposed to the community. And I think our community right now is not aware of all the opportunities that are available. I would say years ago we didn't have as many opportunities, quite frankly. But now we are growing as a community. And then also to the educators, that's why I'm just so very passionate about education because the teachers didn't look at what I was wearing. They didn't care that I was free and reduced lunch. They said, here is a child that we can ignite her spirit. We can make sure she has the resources and we will challenge her. Sometimes people feel sorry for children that are food insecure. You know, they go to this place of, well, 'they're food insecure, so they might not, you know, have a place to study. They can't learn.' That is that is so opposite of what we know about human nature, that if humans are provided, our children are provided opportunity, they will grow, they will flourish. And if we as the adults believe in them and believe in our families and our entire community, we will grow and we will flourish together. 8NN: So what I'm getting from that is just recognizing the different cultures and the diversity within the school district. Ebert: We are an extremely diverse school district. When I started, it was not diverse. At that time, probably 70, 80%, white identified and then all the other races. Now we know that's completely flipped. What's happened in our community happened so very fast. And so we're all learning hundreds of thousands of newcomers. And so as a Southern Nevada community, we're learning how to melt together and lift each other up. And our schools are a great place to start with our children and value all of our differences and understand that, we have many different religions, we have beliefs. We have our culture, our food, how we signal to each other. You know, in some cultures, you look people in the eye when you're talking. In other cultures, it's disrespectful to look people in the eye. And, you know, we need to understand those things about each other, so that we can meet each other where we're at. 8NN: Do you think that CCSD is going to be able to get more money or is the budget going to be flat? Ebert: That's the crystal ball question. I mean, we have the [Republic Governor Joe Lombardo's] proposed budget. Right now, it's $2, more per kid for the pupil-centered funding plan. And then it is it increases the second year. We know the legislature is looking at that. We also have the economic forum coming up, because what is transpiring nationally will affect us locally. So all of those pieces moving right now is, something that we are keeping our eye on. The constant communication with our legislators because money does make a difference. I've said that before. We're going to demonstrate that with our student outcomes. This last year, we're already trending up. We see that happening. Are we there yet? No. But we do see positive trends with those additional funds that are made available. We need to continue that, and we need to continue to monitor. But I also think this is where I need the business community to come in and partner with us, with parents, I think there are efficiencies that can be gained within the school district right now at this moment in time. And we also need to change, which we've been working on at the state level. The Nevada Portrait of a Learner, right? How we are educating our children, making sure that we're involving our parents, and families in the education system, that they're welcoming environments and that again, going back to my own learning, that children know they can become, you know, a news anchor go out and video, you know, whatever they choose. We just need to communicate and help them get their. 8NN: So there's a potential that, that Nevada might lose federal money. But do you think if that's the case, there's enough in the State Education Stabilization account to get through? Ebert: So we have the State Education Stabilization account, and that's really there for those types of crises that we had during the pandemic, when we had to have special session right to cover those gaps. I think it's a little too early to call whether will receive less funding from the federal government. I know there's a lot of talk about it. And this is where, you know, in my role, making sure our elected officials are aware of the Title funds. Title one, title two, title three. For those fundings, [the Trump Administration] has been talking about block-granting them. And, so which isn't always a bad thing, right? They're actually then providing the funds to the state and then the state making the determination on how they're used. Instead of saying you must use specifically, you know, title one in this way. Title two in this way, they'll group those funds and then the state can make a determination. So there absolutely will be a change. We know that the [Education] Secretary's been very clear. The [President Donald Trump's] been very clear. There will be a change, but I'm not sure, at this moment in time of what that change will look like. And we as Nevadans need to make sure we track, and our having those conversations with the [Trump Administration], that those funds have made a difference as we move forward. 8NN: The district introduced cell phone pouches, what's take thought of them? Have any success? Are you going to continue with it, expand it? Ebert: Yeah. I love the idea. I've heard great things from teachers, from students even themselves saying they are more focused during class time. What I'd like to do, and I actually had asked the staff earlier, is are we conducting research? You know, have we invited UNLV, UNR, the Nevada System of Higher Education to actually research and look at the outcomes of the pouches? But, you know, through conversations, I've heard nothing but positive. Excuse me. I'll back that up. Some of the students would like to have access to their phone during, you know, English 1. English 2. But they also know that they are more focused when they're not distracted by their phone. 8NN: Your predecessor [Dr. Jesus Jara] had wanted to do all these safety upgrades, like metal detectors. I know some have been introduced. Are you looking to expand that or continue some of the safety measures put in place? Ebert: Yeah. So the safety measures that have been put in place, the alerts, right? We know every faculty member now does have access to the alert system as well as a single point-of-entry. Those types of things are best practice. And we will continue making sure that we finish out the work at the middle level and continue at the elementary level as well. We've completed all of the high schools. And so yes, that work does need to continue. 8NN: I overheard you talking to another reporter over the phone about it, but the guidance from the Trump Administration with diversity and equity. I know I previously reported CCSD's budget and staff, but, are you looking at maybe eliminating that. Or, I mean, how do you respond to the Trump Administration. They're giving you all this sort of direction. Ebert: Right. So again, we need to follow the law. Number one, I've been on the ground now for days. So, I'm meeting with the team to evaluate where we are. The administration has not given us, you know, specific 'this is what DEI is, and this is what DEI isn't.' And so within what we've heard and know, we are going to use that framework. Also working again with higher education, we know that they've spent a lot of time researching, and, looking at how to support. I will tell you that, inclusion is, back to the beginning of our conversation, making sure that we're valuing our entire community, that we see each other. That we know what we're doing. That we have a space. I was in the visually impaired classroom, our one classroom. That's inclusion. That's one example that our visually impaired students have access and our integrated into the learning environment. And so I don't think we want that to go away. I think we want that to be expanded. And so, we will continue to support all of our children, moving forward. And we'll look forward to what, the law states is and isn't. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School board to announce new CCSD superintendent Thursday
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Clark County School District is expected to have a new superintendent Thursday night to lead the fifth-largest school district in the country. The School Board of Trustees is scheduled to name the new superintendent Thursday evening during a regular school board meeting. Whoever is chosen will be the district's permanent leader following former Superintendent Jesus Jara's resignation in February 2024. CCSD superintendent candidates take questions from the public More than 40 people applied for the top job. In recent weeks, following candidate interviews and a public forum, the candidate list was whittled down from five to three: Jhone Ebert, Ben Shuldiner and Jesse Welsh. Ebert is the Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction and was reappointed by Governor Lombardo in January 2023. Before holding that position, she was the senior deputy commissioner for education policy in New York State. She was also chief innovation and productivity officer in Clark County from 2013-2015. Sculdiner is currently serving as the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan. Prior to that, he was a dean's fellow and distinguished lecturer in New York, NY at Hunter College. While at Hunter College, he was a board member for the New York City School District, the largest district in the U.S. His experience includes being a history department chair, teacher and principal in Brooklyn, NY. Walsh is the CEO of a Nevada State High School, a charter school, and started working with CCSD more than 20 years ago as a math and Spanish teacher. He became a dean, coordinator for the northwest region and then an assistant superintendent. He was the superintendent for the Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona from June 2019 to December 2020. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
