‘Fails to meet our standards:’ Nevada school district rejects Pedro Martinez for top job

CHICAGO (WGN) — Ousted schools CEO Pedro Martinez was tossed from the running for superintendent of the Clark County School District in Nevada on Tuesday evening, with one trustee saying he “does not fit our profile and fails to meet our standards.”

The trustee, Lorena Biassotti, said she was concerned with Martinez’s background, which included a previous stint with the district in southern Nevada that includes the communities of Las Vegas and Henderson.

“He previously served as deputy superintendent for CCSD, leaving the position with a poor reputation,” she said, according to KLAS,

WGN’s Nexstar sister station in Las Vegas. “He was later terminated from roles in both Washoe County and Chicago Public Schools. CCSD is not seeking a candidate with such a record.”

The Chicago Board of Education fired Martinez without cause in December amid conflict with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Under the terms of his contract, Martinez will be paid his current salary through June and will also receive 20 weeks of severance pay.

The Clark County district, which serves about 300,000 students, has been without a leader since February 2024 after previous leader Dr. Jesus Jara was forced out.

Martinez submitted his application for the Nevada job earlier this month and was on the short list to succeed Jara. The remaining candidates include Jhone Ebert, Jon Anzalone, Jesse Welsh, and Ben Shuldiner. The board hopes to make its decision on March 13.