Dr. Kristen McNeill

Superintendent of Washoe County School District

Dr. Kristen McNeill is a native Nevadan who moved to the Reno-Sparks area in 1996. She has worked for more than two decades in public education. She taught grades 2 through 6 before becoming a principal at Lois Allen Elementary School and Marvin Moss Elementary School.

Dr. McNeill became the WCSD Director of State and Federal Programs/K-16 Initiatives in 2008, then was named Chief Strategies Officer in 2010. She assumed the duties of Chief of Staff for the Washoe County School District in 2012, and also served as Interim Superintendent in the summer of 2012.

In September of 2015, Dr. McNeill was appointed the Deputy Superintendent position for WCSD. In that role, she oversaw the areas of Office of School Leadership, Office of Academics, and the Strategies Office. In July of 2019, Dr. McNeill was appointed by the Board of Trustees as the Interim Superintendent. She was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Washoe County School District in April 2020.

Dr. McNeill serves on many non-profit boards including Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, Communities in Schools, and 360 Blueprint. Throughout her career she has participated in various district, state, and national committees on educational issues. As a representative of WCSD, she has supported efforts in the Nevada State Legislature related to important education matters for the children of Washoe County and the state of Nevada. Although Dr. McNeill has always been a supporter of public education in all areas, she has maintained a concerted focus on students in poverty, homelessness, and early childhood education.

Dr. McNeill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration and a Master’s degree in Instructional and Curricular Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. McNeill received her educational leadership credential as well as her Doctorate of Educational Leadership at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Dr. McNeill has two children: Ean is a proud graduate of WCSD schools, and Ever is currently attending high school in WCSD. Dr. McNeill is engaged to Mr. Mike Schroeder, and she enjoys running, travel, and is a horse lover through and through!