Of the three contested Clark County School District Board of Trustees seats in the 2026 election cycle, District F—representing communities like Spring Valley, Mountain’s Edge, Southern Highlands and Sandy Valley—was the lone race with more than two candidates. The June 9 primary narrowed that down to the two following candidates, who are now set to face off in the November 3 general election. The Weekly reached out to both to learn more about their respective visions for the district.
Irene Bustamante Adams
The incumbent vice president of the Board captured 49.57% of the primary vote in her quest for a second term. She was first elected to the board in 2022, following an eight-year run serving as a Democrat in the Nevada State Assembly from 2010 to 2018. This year, she was also named president of the Nevada Association of School Boards. A UNLV graduate, she’s currently the deputy director and chief strategy officer at the Workforce Connections development board and spent 18 years in various roles with MGM Resorts International.
Rob Hutchinson
The current CCSD director of facilities, Hutchinson is a first-time board candidate who advanced out of the primary with a 32.63% share. He began his now 28-year CCSD career as a temporary custodian, and in 2024 was named the district’s Administrator of the Year. A father of three CCSD students and the husband of a district educator, Hutchinson is set to retire from the district this fall regardless of the election outcome—resolving the potential conflict of interest between his current position and a seat on the board that oversees it.
What motivated you to run for office, and what key issues would you address?
IBA: As a first-generation college graduate and lifelong public servant, I believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. I am running to continue improving student outcomes through stronger literacy and math achievement, responsible fiscal stewardship, and transparent governance that builds public trust in our schools.
RH: I’m not a career politician, I’m a career educator and facilities expert. I’m running because our students deserve a Board that prioritizes their success over administrative convenience. I will refocus our budget on the classroom and build honest, sustainable pathways for every student.
The district expects to lose 5,000 students this year and enrollment has been declining since 2017. How would you address enrollment loss and help the district retain more of its existing students?
IBA: I support policy that expands high-quality academic and career pathways that reflect student and workforce interests. Families stay when schools provide excellent instruction, safe learning environments and meaningful opportunities that prepare students for college, careers and life.
RH: Students and parents leave when they don’t see a future for themselves or their kids in our schools. We need to expand career technical education so every student has a clear, valuable path, whether they choose college or a trade. We must make our schools the first choice for families by ensuring they are safe, high performing hubs of excellence.
CCSD has dealt with staff reductions, hiring freezes and vacancies in both classroom and support roles. If elected, what’s one step you’d take to balance staffing levels?
IBA: I would strengthen employee retention by expanding leadership development, mentoring and career advancement opportunities while using workforce data to strategically address staffing shortages where students are most impacted.
RH: I experienced the 2008 RIF (Reduction in Force) firsthand, so I understand the toll of low morale. I will champion professional retention strategies, informed by my recent research. We must stabilize our workforce by valuing staff, reducing administrative bloat and investing in our people.
What’s one new safety initiative you’d push for in your first year and why? How would you plan to fund it?
IBA: I would continue to advocate for expanding multidisciplinary threat assessment and behavioral intervention teams across schools. Funding should come through a combination of existing safety allocations, state grants, and federal resources while ensuring investments remain sustainable.
RH: As someone who has managed facilities for years, I know that layered security—from perimeter control to modern access systems—is the only way to protect our students and staff. I’d reallocate waste to fund these updates, ensuring our schools are secure and professional environments where students and staff can thrive.
(Question for IBA) Are there any Board decisions during your first term you’d approach differently today?
IBA: Every major decision has reinforced the importance of communication and public engagement. I would invest even more time explaining complex decisions earlier, listening to stakeholders, and building understanding before significant Board actions.
(Question for RH) What’s one Board decision from recent years you’d have voted against, and why?
RH: While I respect the hard work required of the board, I would have voted differently on the specific decisions to restrict public comment, and would have opposed the silent removal of land acknowledgments. Transparency and inclusivity aren’t inconveniences, it’s the foundation of a healthy district that reflects the people it serves. Students, all students, should be the driving factor in every decision the board makes.
Students and families say there is a need for more mental health support in schools. There is a shortage in licensed school psychologists, counselors and social workers. What’s your approach to this issue?
IBA: We must strengthen recruitment partnerships with Nevada colleges and universities, expand internship pipelines, and pursue grant funding to grow the workforce. At the same time, schools should continue partnering with community providers to increase student access to services.
RH: The district recently issued reductions in force notices to our very own social workers and counselors. We can’t claim to prioritize our students’ well-being while cutting the very professionals who provide it. Mental health is foundational to academic success—not an extra. I support integrating licensed counselors directly into our school ecosystems so that help is accessible, proactive and stigma-free.
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