A message from President

Irene Bustamante Adams

A Year of Purpose, Partnership, and Progress

Greetings NASB Members,

It is an honor to serve as your 2026 President of the Nevada Association of School Boards. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. Serving along side dedicated trustees from across our great state is one of the greatest privileges of my public service journey.

Our theme at our annual conference last month, “Bringing Vision to Reality: Boards That Deliver,” reflects what I believe deeply: leadership is not only about imagining what is possible, but also about creating the systems, culture, and partnerships that make those possibilities real for Nevada’s students and families.

NASB has played a vital role in shaping who I am as a trustee. The training, mentorship, and professional development this organization provides gave me the tools and confidence to grow and lead with purpose. As your President, I am committed to strengthening and expanding that work for all trustees statewide.

Building Stronger Governance Statewide

This year, I will work closely with our Executive Committee, trustees in all 17 districts, and our partners to enhance:

• High quality and relevant trustee training

• Strong and collaborative board superintendent partnerships

• Governance practices that consistently keep student outcomes at the center

Our goal is clear: to support every board in becoming a board that delivers, one that turns vision into measurable progress for Nevada’s students.

Preparing Now for the 2027 Legislative Session

Another priority for the year ahead is ensuring that NASB is fully prepared long before the 2027 legislative session begins.

Success during the session will not come from last minute action. It will come from the work we do now: strengthening relationships, refining our priorities, aligning our messaging, and demonstrating unity around the outcomes students deserve.

And let me emphasize this:

The Nevada Legislature is not our adversary.

They can and should be our strategic partners.

By engaging consistently and professionally, we can build trust, share our expertise, and help shape legislation that supports students, educators, and communities across Nevada.

Looking Ahead With Optimism

I am energized by the opportunities before us and deeply grateful for the chance to lead this organization during an important time for public education. Thank you for your commitment, your service, and your belief in strong governance.

Together, we will bring vision to reality for our districts, our communities, and most importantly, our students.

With appreciation,

Irene Bustamante Adams

President, Nevada Association of School Boards

Yvonne Wagstaff

Douglas County School District

There’s a lot more to this board member than meets the eye, and it starts with flowers.

Outside of public service, she is a florist at heart. Creating floral arrangements isn’t just a hobby; it’s a passion. Helping people mark life’s most meaningful moments with the beauty of flowers is something she finds deeply rewarding, and that sense of care and celebration carries into everything she does.

Her journey as a board member has been shaped by the guidance and example of several remarkable women. Early on, Linda Gilkerson played a key role in helping her find her footing. She also draws inspiration from Laurel Crossman of Carson, Bridgett Peterson of Dayton, and Kathrine Whitaker of Churchill, leaders she admires and hopes to emulate through her own service.

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering board service, her response is grounded and heartfelt. Serving on a school board is both insightful and rewarding, but it is public service in the truest sense of the word. Working to encourage students and at times working alongside them has given her tremendous hope for the future.

Looking ahead, her greatest goal is impact. When her service eventually comes to an end, she hopes to see that she helped create an environment where students are empowered to take ownership of their education and pursue what they truly want out of life.

What keeps her motivated, even when the work is challenging, is the people. She values the opportunity to work with dedicated colleagues, and she is continually inspired by the incredible teachers across the district and the difference they make in students’ lives. Watching students grow in ways no one could have predicted is amazing.

While she doesn’t often have time to sit down with a book, audiobooks are a constant companion during long drives around the valley and the lake. Right now, she’s enjoying the Percy Jackson series and highly recommends it to anyone looking for something fun and engaging.

Family is at the center of her life. She has six children, four graduates of Douglas High School, one current senior who is dual enrolled at Western Nevada College, and one eighth grader at Carson Valley Middle School. Being a deeply involved parent has shaped her perspective and prepared her well for board service. Her focus has always been on raising respectful, productive kids who give back to society rather than take from it.

The most rewarding part of serving on the board has been working through difficult circumstances while continuing to focus on student outcomes. She takes pride in seeing Douglas County students succeed and thrive, no matter the path they choose.

The most challenging aspect, she says, is accepting the weight of responsibility. As a board member, the buck ultimately stops with you. Whether circumstances are good or difficult, it is the board’s responsibility to make the best decisions possible and to continually encourage staff and students to do their best.

She and her husband have been happily married for 27 years. Together they have six children, one grandchild, and another on the way. Being a grandmother is the highlight of her life, and every moment spent with family is cherished.

This blend of passion, perspective, and commitment to students is what she brings to the board and what makes her such a valued part of the team.

A message from Executive Director

Rick Harris

Bridging Vision and Reality in 2026

As we begin a new year, I want to thank you for your continued leadership, service, and commitment to Nevada’s students and communities. Serving as a school board trustee is meaningful work and often challenging work but it remains some of the most impactful public service there is.

Just last month, we came together for our Annual Conference under the theme Bridging Vision and Reality: Boards That Deliver. That theme could not be more fitting as we enter 2026. Trustees across Nevada carry bold visions for their districts and visions for student success, strong communities, and thriving schools. The real work happens in the bridge between vision and reality through governance, collaboration, thoughtful decision making, and steady leadership.

At NASB, our role is to help you build and strengthen that bridge. In 2026, we will continue to provide practical tools, timely information, and meaningful professional development designed to support boards that deliver results. We will also remain strong advocates for public education, ensuring that the voices of trustees are heard at both the state and national levels.

When trustees, superintendents, educators, families, and communities work together, vision becomes action and action leads to results. NASB exists to support those connections by sharing best practices, elevating success stories, and creating spaces for dialogue about challenges and solutions.

As you move into the new year, I encourage you to stay engaged, lean on one another, and use NASB as a trusted partner in your work. Together, we can continue bridging vision and reality and ensuring that Nevada’s school boards deliver for students and communities.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of Nevada’s public schools. I look forward to working with you in 2026.

The Positive Place

Welcome to the latest edition of The Positive Place! Each NASB newsletter is designed to equip and encourage our members by highlighting the power of positivity and inspiration in public education. In every issue, we share uplifting resources—from books by positive authors and inspirational stories to videos, websites, and practical ideas you can use in your work.

In this edition, we are pleased to feature “From the Field” Quotes—brief reflections that capture what is right and working in public education.

Please enjoy these one-sentence reminders of the impact and importance of public schools:

• Public education is the promise that every child, regardless of background, deserves opportunity, dignity, and a future filled with possibility.

• Public schools are where communities come together to invest not only in students, but in the shared success of our democracy.

• At its best, public education opens doors, sparks curiosity, and equips students to shape a better world.

• Public education works because it believes in potential before it sees results.

• Public schools reflect our highest values by serving every student and honoring every story.

• Public education is not just about academic achievement; it is about building citizens, leaders, and a stronger society.

Save the Date Reminders

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