Paul Casey JD
Non-partisanQ1 K-12 EDUCATION: In 2023–24, approximately 14% of fifth-grade students and 36% of eighth-grade students in Nevada met or exceeded state standards for science, while many Nevada school districts face challenges attracting and retaining qualified STEM educators. What evidence-based policies, if any, would you support to strengthen science education and access to quality STEM educators across the state, and why?
Paul Casey — JD Candidate for CCSD Trustee District G response: Nevada’s science results are unacceptable. When only about 14% of fifth-graders and 36% of eighth-graders meet or exceed state science standards, we need to focus on measurable results—not simply increasing spending. Nevada Legislature I would support evidence-based policies that strengthen science instruction while holding schools and the district accountable for outcomes. First, we should ensure teachers have access to high-quality, standards-aligned STEM curriculum, laboratory equipment, hands-on learning, and meaningful professional development. Research from national assessments indicates that higher-performing students are more likely to have access to adequate science resources. Nations Report Card Second, we should recruit and retain qualified STEM educators by expanding targeted incentives, scholarships, mentorships, and alternative pathways for qualified professionals to enter teaching. Nevada already has a new STEM endorsement for licensed teachers, including financial assistance for educators pursuing it.
Finally, CCSD should use data to identify schools with the greatest needs and direct resources accordingly. We must measure whether programs actually improve student achievement. As a trustee, my priority would be simple: better science education, better-qualified teachers, greater opportunity for students, and measurable results for every taxpayer dollar spent. Keywords: better science education, better-qualified teachers, greater opportunity for students, and measurable results for every taxpayer dollar spent.
Q2 WATER: Nevada is the driest state in the United States, and our limited water resources are facing increasing demand as drought pressure increases. Research has documented declining groundwater levels and concerns about the long-term sustainability of groundwater withdrawals. What policies, if any, would you support to promote sustainable groundwater use and protect long-term access to fresh water in Nevada? How would you approach balancing competing water demands, such as those from agriculture, communities, industry, and environmental needs?
“The key point is that a CCSD Trustee does not have direct authority over Nevada’s statewide water policy. The trustee’s responsibility is primarily education governance: setting district policy, approving the budget, overseeing the superintendent, and representing the community.
Paul Casey — JD Candidate for CCSD Trustee District G Nevada’s water future is important to every family, business, and community, but I also believe we must recognize the proper role of a CCSD Trustee. The Board of Trustees is responsible for education policy, district priorities, the budget, and oversight of the Superintendent—not statewide water regulation.
That said, I would support responsible water conservation within CCSD and encourage the District to lead by example. This includes maintaining efficient facilities, addressing leaks and unnecessary water use, evaluating water-efficient landscaping and irrigation, and considering conservation when constructing or renovating schools.
I would also support expanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education so students understand Nevada’s unique water challenges and can become the engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers who develop tomorrow’s solutions.
At the state level, I support sound, science-based water management that protects long-term access to clean water while recognizing the legitimate needs of communities, agriculture, businesses, and the environment. We should make decisions based on reliable data, long-term sustainability, property rights, and responsible stewardship—not politics or short-term interests.
As a Trustee, my responsibility is to make CCSD a responsible steward of its resources while preparing our students to solve Nevada’s future challenges. “
Keywords: Education, conservation and alternative efforts to protect Nevada’s resources
Q3 HEAT: Reno was recently identified as the fastest-warming city in the country, closely followed by Las Vegas. What steps, if any, would you take to protect Nevadans from the increasing threat of extreme heat, particularly vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, low-income communities, and outdoor workers?
“Paul Casey — JD Candidate for CCSD Trustee District G Nevada’s extreme heat is a serious safety issue, particularly for children, seniors, low-income families, and people who work outdoors. As a CCSD Trustee, my responsibility would be to focus on what we can control: protecting students and employees on school campuses while using taxpayer resources responsibly.
CCSD already has heat-safety procedures requiring access to water and shade, monitoring students for heat stress, and limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. I would support strengthening those practices where necessary, including adequate hydration, shaded play and waiting areas, well-maintained air conditioning, and clear protocols for modifying or postponing outdoor activities during dangerous conditions.
I would also support prioritizing shade structures, trees, reflective roofing, and other practical improvements when schools are constructed or renovated. These investments can improve student safety while potentially reducing long-term cooling costs.
For vulnerable families, schools can also serve as trusted points of education and communication about heat safety and available community resources.
My approach is practical: protect our children, support our employees, maintain safe facilities, and spend taxpayer dollars on solutions that produce measurable results—not politics.” Keywords: Protection, solutions, cost effevtive
Q4 ENERGY: In 2025, solar power provided approximately 34% of Nevada’s total in-state electricity generation. As electricity demand continues to grow, what role do you believe renewable energy sources should play in meeting Nevada’s future energy needs? What policies, if any, would you support to facilitate the development of these resources while keeping energy affordable for Nevada households and ensuring that residents who generate their own electricity can participate fairly in the energy system?
“Paul Casey — JD Candidate for CCSD Trustee District G Nevada should pursue a balanced energy strategy that welcomes renewable energy while keeping electricity reliable, affordable, and accessible.
Solar is a natural opportunity for Nevada, given our abundant sunshine, but I do not believe we should put all of our energy future into one source. We should encourage a diverse energy portfolio, including solar, geothermal, energy storage, and other reliable generation technologies.
Policies should encourage private investment and innovation rather than unnecessarily increasing costs for taxpayers and ratepayers. Any renewable-energy policy should be evaluated based on reliability, affordability, long-term costs, and measurable benefits.
I also believe Nevadans who invest their own money in rooftop solar should be treated fairly. Nevada’s existing net-metering system allows customers to receive credits for excess electricity returned to the grid.
I support a transparent system that fairly compensates customer-generated power while also ensuring that customers who do not have solar are not unfairly burdened with costs they did not create.
As a CCSD Trustee, my direct responsibility is education, not statewide energy regulation. However, I would support energy-efficiency improvements in CCSD facilities where they make financial sense, including efficient HVAC systems, lighting, and potentially solar and battery storage where the numbers demonstrate a responsible return on investment.
My principle is simple: embrace innovation, protect affordability, maintain reliability, and make decisions based on results—not ideology.”
Keywords: Innovation, affordability, results reliability
Q5 Nevada has increasingly attracted large-scale data centers and other energy-intensive industries, which can provide economic investment while also increasing demand for electricity and water. What approach, if any, would you take to ensure that the anticipated water and energy needs of these developments are accurately accounted for in planning and permitting, while balancing economic benefits and electricity costs for residents?
“Paul Casey — JD Candidate for CCSD Trustee District G Nevada should welcome economic investment and new industries, but growth must be responsible. Large data centers and other energy-intensive developments can create jobs, expand the tax base, and bring significant investment. At the same time, their demands on electricity and water must be accurately understood before projects are approved.
I support transparent, data-driven planning that requires developers to clearly account for projected energy and water consumption, infrastructure requirements, and long-term impacts. Those costs should not be shifted unfairly onto Nevada families and existing ratepayers.
We should also encourage technologies that reduce resource consumption, including energy-efficient data centers, renewable energy, battery storage, water-efficient cooling systems, and the responsible use of recycled or non-potable water where appropriate. Economic development and responsible resource management do not have to be competing goals. Nevada can attract investment while protecting its residents by requiring appropriate infrastructure planning and ensuring that those creating significant new demand contribute fairly to the infrastructure needed to support it.
As a CCSD Trustee, I recognize that statewide permitting and utility regulation are outside the Board’s direct authority. My responsibility is to protect the District’s budget and facilities and ensure that CCSD is prepared for growth.
My standard is simple: welcome opportunity, plan responsibly, protect taxpayers, and make sure growth strengthens Nevada rather than placing an unfair burden on the people who already live here.” Keywords: Responsibility, private enterprises carry the cost, protect taxpayers
Q6 MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCES: As the Silver State, Nevada is a major U.S. source of mineral resources and has some of the country’s largest lithium reserves, which are increasingly important to the nation’s energy and technology industries. How would you balance the development of these resources with potential impacts on water, ecosystems, and surrounding communities, and what role, if any, should scientific and environmental assessments play in decisions about where and how mining occurs?
“Paul Casey — JD Candidate for CCSD Trustee District G
Nevada’s mineral resources are an important part of our economy and our national security, particularly as demand grows for lithium and other critical minerals. I support responsible mining that allows Nevada to benefit from these resources while protecting our water, environment, and communities.
Mining decisions should be based on sound science, transparency, and accountability. Before major projects move forward, appropriate scientific and environmental assessments should evaluate potential impacts on groundwater, surface water, wildlife, ecosystems, air quality, and surrounding communities. Those assessments should be taken seriously, and developers should be held accountable for complying with environmental requirements and mitigating legitimate impacts.
At the same time, we should avoid unnecessary bureaucracy that prevents responsible development, investment, and good-paying jobs. Nevada can protect its natural resources without shutting the door on economic opportunity.
Companies benefiting from Nevada’s resources should contribute appropriately to the infrastructure and mitigation necessary to address impacts they create. Communities deserve transparency about projected water use, environmental risks, economic benefits, and long-term responsibilities.
As a CCSD Trustee, I recognize that mining regulation is primarily a state and federal responsibility. My role would be to focus on education while supporting STEM opportunities that prepare Nevada students for careers in mining, engineering, environmental science, technology, and other growing industries.
We can protect our environment, respect our communities, and responsibly develop Nevada’s resources—without sacrificing opportunity.”
Keywords: Environment, respect and responsibility