Jhone Ebert: Leading Clark County School District Toward a Promising Future
The Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the largest school districts in the United States, faces a turning point with the appointment of Jhone Ebert as its new Superintendent. Ebert steps into her new role armed with extensive experience in education policy, leadership, and community engagement. Her decades-long career in Nevada education, combined with state and national leadership exposure, has instilled hope among stakeholders that she can address the district’s ongoing challenges and bring about meaningful change.
Ebert’s journey in Nevada’s education system started 25 years ago within CCSD itself, where she began as a teacher before rising to roles such as magnet school director, assistant superintendent, and chief innovation and productivity officer. These roles granted her a holistic understanding of the district’s operations and deep insight into the needs of its students and staff. Her ability to navigate complex systems and implement innovative practices will be essential in tackling CCSD’s pressing concerns, from funding shortages to student performance gaps.
Her career, however, extends well beyond her local roots. As Nevada’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019, Ebert led statewide education efforts, overseeing policies and initiatives that shaped the lives of thousands of students. This experience taught her how to design and implement large-scale systemic changes to improve outcomes. Prior to returning to Nevada, she also worked in New York state as Senior Deputy Commissioner for P-20 education policy, a role that expanded her leadership perspective and allowed her to engage with education challenges at the national level. This blend of local, state, and interstate experience positions her as a uniquely qualified leader ready to serve Southern Nevada in this pivotal moment.
One of Ebert’s standout qualities is her legislative expertise, especially at a time when CCSD continues to struggle with inadequate K-12 funding. In her state-level role, Ebert worked jointly with legislators, governors, and education leaders to secure critical reforms and financial resources for Nevada’s schools. Despite recent increases in state education funding, Nevada’s per-pupil funding still falls $4,000 below the national average, a stark reality for a district as large and diverse as CCSD. Ebert’s experience advocating for resources and building bipartisan consensus will be crucial as she works to close this gap and ensure students have equal access to a quality education.
Ebert’s appointment also comes with strong backing from CCSD’s school board and broader community. The board’s unanimous vote was a testament to the confidence her colleagues and supporters have in her leadership abilities. For many, her deep connection to Southern Nevada, where she has spent much of her career, adds another layer of credibility and trust to her work. Her understanding of local challenges, coupled with her strategic expertise from state-level leadership, makes her uniquely qualified to address some of CCSD’s most persistent issues, such as chronic student absenteeism and low proficiency rates in math and reading.
One of her top priorities as Superintendent will be addressing teacher retention—particularly in high-need, under-resourced schools. These schools often face disproportionately high turnover rates, and the lack of teacher continuity has a direct impact on student outcomes. Ebert’s efforts to create a supportive environment for educators will be critical in stabilizing the workforce, improving morale, and ultimately driving positive outcomes for students. Additionally, her focus on retaining educators of color will address the broader goal of fostering diversity and equity within the district’s teaching force.
Supporters of Ebert believe her leadership is exactly what CCSD needs to navigate its immediate challenges while also laying the groundwork for long-term progress. Beyond improving funding and teacher retention, she is committed to tackling systemic inequities that have long plagued Southern Nevada’s schools. Her collaborative leadership style, which places a strong emphasis on community engagement, is likely to build bridges between CCSD staff, families, and external stakeholders—a necessary step toward achieving sustainable reforms.
The challenges facing CCSD are undeniably complex. As one of the fastest-growing and most diverse school districts in the nation, it must address not only funding limitations but also disparities in student achievement, teacher shortages, and the specific needs of underserved communities. Yet, with Jhone Ebert at the helm, optimism abounds. Her combination of operational depth, legislative savvy, and strong community ties presents a compelling opportunity to drive transformative change.
In conclusion, Jhone Ebert’s appointment as Superintendent of CCSD signals hope for the future of Southern Nevada’s education system. Her robust background in education policy and operations, combined with decades of proven leadership, makes her uniquely suited to address the district’s pressing concerns while setting an ambitious vision for improvement. By focusing on funding, teacher retention, equity, and student achievement, Ebert is poised to bring about tangible, lasting progress—a brighter future for CCSD’s students, teachers, and the community as a whole. Whether by implementing bold strategies or fostering collaboration among stakeholders, she has what it takes to lead CCSD toward a prosperous new chapter.