2 remaining trustees rehire former schools chief in Nevada

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — A former northeast Nevada schools superintendent who retired in 2018 has been rehired as interim head of a district where the former top administrator abruptly resigned in June and five of seven school trustees stepped down in August.

Jeff Zander was rehired Tuesday at the Elko County School District by two remaining trustees of a board that has faced contentious debate about coronavirus mitigation mask mandates, staff vaccine requirements and COVID-19 testing, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

About 10,000 students began their new school year Monday with their use of face coverings on campus optional. Teachers and bus drivers are required to wear masks.

Former Elko County schools chief Michele Robinson resigned June 22 after one year of her three-year contract and Deputy Superintendent Mike Smith served as interim schools chief for several weeks before returning to his former role.

Two trustees resigned Aug. 12, two days after the board approved a reopening plan that left masks optional for students. Three more trustees resigned the following week, the Free Press reported.

Zander had become a consultant after a 31-year career as a school administrator, including eight years heading the Elko district.

Since 2018, he has primarily focused on helping districts in Nevada adapt to a 2019 state law that revamped state K-12 education spending with a program dubbed the Pupil-Centered Funding Plan.