WCSD Superintendent finalist removes his name from consideration

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - One of the five finalists under consideration to be the next superintendent of the Washoe County School District has removed his name from consideration for the position.

Dr. Christopher Bernier has now been removed from consideration, and will now be replaced by Dr. Paul LaMarca, the Chief Student and Family Supports Officer for the WCSD, as a finalist.

“We committed to the Board of Trustees that we would bring forward five qualified candidates for their consideration as they make this important decision,” said Dr. Walter Cooper, a consultant for McPherson and Jacobson. “It is common for candidates to decide to pursue other opportunities and remove their names from consideration. Fortunately, following our extensive national search, we had a number of very qualified and worthy candidates to present to the Board of Trustees. We are proud to add Dr. Paul LaMarca’s name to the list for consideration, and excited to bring these five qualified candidates forward to the Board and the community.”

Trustee Jeff Church expressed concern on the change in finalists saying that he was specifically told that there would be no replacement. Church also said that there had been suggestions that the list of finalists would be limited to four, not five.

He continued:

“As an elected Trustee supporting transparency, I want this public now rather than be found out later via a public document request or other means.

My second concern is that I question if Dr LaMarca meets the minimum qualifications (see below and attached)

Dr LaMarca’s resume reflects a PhD in Philosophy, hardly related to education as seems to be required. I see no record that he has a Master’s.

I had asked for a wider net in open meeting discussions and was rebuffed. Allowing an applicant in without an Educational degree or any Master’s would seem unfair to other possible applicants that did not apply based on the requirements.”