New superintendent guides school district

A new superintendent is guiding the Churchill County School District this year.

Derild Parsons, who succeeds Summer Stephens, began working for the Churchill County School District in February 2000 at West End Elementary School. When West End closed, he moved to Lahontan Elementary School. Then he was the dean of students at Churchill County High School for three and one-half years before moving to the district office as the director of Special Services. He then transitioned into the role of director of Learning and Innovation before his selection to superintendent last spring.

Parson’s family moved to Yerington when he was 4 years old. He attended school in Yerington through sixth grade, and then his family relocated to Battle Mountain in 1976. Parsons grew up in Northern Nevada, spending summers helping his father on drill rigs.

After graduating from high school, he continued to work on drill rigs doing mineral exploration in Northern Nevada and Northern California. He came to Fallon in 1990 when the family came to drill water wells and decided to make Fallon their permanent home.

In 1994, Parsons resumed his education and began taking classes at Western Nevada College. During this time, he met his wife, Lynne, who grew up in Fallon. She is a graduate of Churchill County High School. In 1999, Parsons graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a dual degree in elementary education and special education. In 2007, he earned his master’s degree in education administration.

Parsons and Lynne raised their two children in Fallon. Both children attended Churchill County Schools and are graduates of Churchill County High School.

Parsons said he likes spending time with his family and friends and enjoying the beauty of the area.

"I am so happy to serve as your superintendent and look forward to working with all the stakeholders in our community as we learn and grow together, " Parsons said.

Kaitlin Ritchie is public information officer for the Churchill County School District.