Nevada Association of School Boards

Visit their website at www.nvasb.org


Carolyn Edwards
President

Carolyn Edwards began her service as a school board member in Clark County in January 2007. Since that time, the Clark County School District has faced important issues including budget cuts, teacher recruitment and retention, achievement gaps among student population groups, and a high teacher/student ratio in grades 4-12.

During the period that she has served on the Board of Trustees, she cites the development of the Quality Assurance Framework and specialty schools (empowerment, Career and Technical Academies) as some of the Board’s most significant accomplishments.

When asked about the most important challenge facing NASB during the next two or three years, Ms. Edwards said, “The most important challenge will be working with the Legislature to ensure a stable tax base that is utilized to adequately fund education throughout the State.  In light of this, it is imperative that all school board members get actively involved in the political process in the State and understand their role in that process.”

Dr. Dotty Merrill
Executive Director

Dr. Dotty Merrill joined the Nevada Association of School Boards as executive director in October 2006, bringing more than 35 years experience with national, state, and local educational issues affecting both K-12 schools and higher education.  Merrill provides executive leadership for the Association, which represents and serves the 107 elected and appointed members of the governing boards of all seventeen Nevada school districts.

Before becoming executive director of NASB, Merrill served as superintendent of Public Policy, Accountability and Assessment with the Washoe County School District. Merrill has extensive experience with charter schools, assessment to improve classroom instruction, accountability, state and federal requirements, and molding collaborative and cooperative relationships among educational communities.  Before becoming a district-level administrator, Merrill taught high school English for fifteen years and served for ten years as a high school administrator. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Merrill has published in several national education journals and currently serves on the editorial board for the National Association of Secondary School Principals. She is a member of many professional and community organizations. She lives in Reno with her husband, Robert, who is professor emeritus, University of Nevada, Reno. The couple has two cats: Smiley and Karla.