In his first public address at a Fallon Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, recently hired Churchill County School District Superintendent Derild Parsons shared his vision for a future where learning transcends boundaries. With deep roots in Northern Nevada soil, Parsons has spent his entire educational career in Churchill County. Going to school in Yerington and graduating in Battle Mountain, he is committed to bringing academic excellence to the town he and his family call home. For Parsons, it all boils down to truth in education and community collaboration.
His deep admiration for Miss Barton, his first-grade teacher in Yerington, led him into education. While summers off are definitely a consideration, he joked, he desired to earn that kind of regard from young people and to be able to impact them positively. “I understand the power of education to transform lives because I've lived it. And I want every student in Churchill County to have that same opportunity.”
Highlighting some of his plans, Parsons hopes to take the district beyond traditional educational boundaries. “This community has shaped me, and now, as your superintendent, I am committed to shaping the educational landscape for the better. Our students deserve the very best,” he said. If Parsons has his way, the district will deliver to students an educational experience that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures critical thinking skills, preparing them for the complexities of our ever-changing world.
According to Parsons, a recent district-wide assessment indicates curriculum refinement needs. The only way this can occur, said Parsons, is through an honest look at the district's academics. “Our assessment results revealed areas where we can improve, and I want to address these gaps head-on,” he shared, expressing his belief this is best achieved through data-driven decision-making.
Technology, an undeniable force in the modern age, is essential to Parsons’ vision. He outlined a desire for Churchill County students to have greater access to technology integration, where students are not just consumers of information but creators and innovators. “Our classrooms should be incubators of ideas, where students feel empowered to explore and create,” Parsons asserted. To this superintendent, technology can improve and inspire learning, not merely aid or supplement it.
Parsons has big plans for the district and believes collaboration is critical to the process. “Education is a collective effort involving educators, parents, and the community at large,” he said, emphasizing the need for open communication channels and transparency. “I believe in truth in education.” Further, he stressed the importance of acknowledging successes and areas needing improvement. “It's through open and honest dialogue that we grow and progress.”
There are six schools in the district, including Adult Education, with, according to Parsons, 3,423 students and 408 staff. The school district has unparalleled access to area residents, explained Parsons, “With access to so many people in one central location, we can reach lots of people and help get different services to the community.”
The district is doing everything possible to ensure students can access everything they need. For example, Safe Schools Professionals, which Parsons explained, are essentially school social workers. “Their role is supporting students in need,” he said, “Having a social worker in the schools is not even a luxury item anymore. It’s essential.”
Parson noted that CCHS has seen a slight increase in its overall graduation rate at 86.92%, exceeding the state average of 81.39%. Additionally, several graduating seniors earned dual credit for taking college courses or graduated with associate degrees, helping them better prepare for college or the workforce. WNC in Fallon reports that 55% of their students are high school students, according to Parsons.
Parsons has his eye on the future and understands the value of preparing students for careers that are on the rise and the need for specialized training in new areas like robotics, electrotechnology, data analysis, and the skilled trades. Naturally, he could not fail to mention the recent success seen in CCHS’s robust student internship spearheaded by Dr. Sue Segura and the 17 career clusters at CCHS helping find students post-graduation opportunities.
While celebrating the district’s successes, Parsons also understands the need for district-level and school-wide improvement and is working with the Board of Trustees, staff, parents, and the community to move toward that improvement. “Together, we can create a learning environment that reflects our shared values and aspirations,” said Parsons.
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