Washoe County School District breaks ground on $58 million Echo Loder Elementary rebuild

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - The Washoe County School District held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the $58 million rebuilding project at Echo Loder Elementary School.

The ceremony took place at 11 a.m. at the school, located at 600 Apple Street in Reno. Students performed cheers and the national anthem was sung by the Vaughn Chamber Singers under the direction of Riley Cloyd. The Wooster High School Colt Battalion ROTC Color Guard presented the colors.

Echo Loder Elementary School opened in 1957 and was identified in the 2023 Facility Modernization Project for rebuilding. The project is being constructed on the corner of the current school campus, which will continue to operate during construction of the new school building.

New facility details

The new school will be a two-story building of more than 100,000 square feet designed to serve nearly 800 students. It will feature state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, a STEAM lab, media center and collaborative learning spaces.

The facility will reflect the district’s current education specifications and support collaboration, innovation and student well-being, said Superintendent Susan Ernst.

“The new Echo Loder Elementary School will be a modern, equitable learning environment for today’s students and will provide a space for them to explore tomorrow’s opportunities,” Ernst said.

The Board of Trustees approved the project and design work began in early 2025. The new building is scheduled to open in August 2027.

Rezoning and community impact

The new school will serve current Echo Loder students along with rezoned students from Corbett and Veterans Elementary Schools, said Tammy Zimmerman, Washoe County School District chief facilities management officer.

Once the new building opens, the old Echo Loder building will be torn down, similar to the process currently underway at Vaughn Middle School. During the transition year, students will have reduced playground space while the new outdoor areas are completed.

Principal Marcus Culpepper said the school has served the community for nearly seven decades.

“Many of these students are now parents, grandparents, neighbors and proud alumni,” Culpepper said. “We even have a great-grandparent in our community whose great-grandchildren still go to our school.”

School history

Echo Loder was named after an outstanding teacher and principal who served Reno area schools from 1890 to 1935.

Teacher Mrs. Odie, who has worked at Echo Loder for over two decades, said the new facility will have a tremendous impact on students.

“I appreciate that we’re sending a really good message to all of the students in our district that we really do value their educational experiences,” Odie said.

The project is funded through the WC-1 bill passed in 2016. Echo Loder was one of the first facilities identified for rebuilding during the district’s facility modernization plan work.

Board President Adam Mayberry thanked the project partners, including H+K Architects for design work and Plenry Builders as the contractor.