CCSD Principals Vote Against NIAA Director's Contract Extension

Clark County school leaders express frustrations with Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association leadership

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a high school sports competition broken down into overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the fractured nature of athletic governance.The clash between school principals and sports officials reflects the complex, fragmented governance of high school athletics in Nevada.Las Vegas Today

Clark County School District principals were highly critical of Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association leadership during the NIAA Board of Control spring meetings. This led to a tied 6-6 vote on a proposed 3-year contract extension for NIAA executive director Tim Jackson, effectively killing the extension. Principals cited a lack of support from NIAA leadership and frustrations over issues like private school alignment and the controversial HRM points system for high school sports.

Why it matters

The clash between CCSD principals and NIAA leadership highlights growing tensions over the governance and policies of high school sports in Nevada. As the state's largest school district, CCSD's dissatisfaction with the NIAA could have significant implications for the future of the organization and high school athletics statewide.

The details

During the NIAA Board of Control meetings, CCSD principals criticized NIAA executive director Tim Jackson and the organization's leadership. This led to a tied 6-6 vote on a proposed 3-year contract extension for Jackson after his current contract ends. Principals cited a "broad, unanimous feeling of not feeling supported" by Jackson and the NIAA, with issues like the controversial return to the HRM points system for football alignment and the lack of parity between public and private/charter schools.

  • The NIAA Board of Control spring meetings took place on April 15-16, 2026.
  • Last month, 30 CCSD principals moved their football programs to independent status for the next two seasons after the NIAA reversed course on football alignment.

The players

Tim Jackson

The executive director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

Colin McNaught

The principal of Cimarron-Memorial High School and a Southern representative on the NIAA Board of Control.

Jessica Lovell

The principal of Sierra Vista High School.

Raymond Ortiz

The principal of Las Vegas High School.

Keith Wipperman

The principal of Centennial High School and a Southern representative on the NIAA Board of Control.

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What they’re saying

“There is a broad, unanimous feeling of not feeling supported by our executive director in lots of different avenues.”

— Colin McNaught, Cimarron-Memorial principal and Southern representative on the NIAA Board of Control

“The majority of public high schools have lost a lot of faith in the NIAA and the board to do what's best for our schools and for students.”

— Jessica Lovell, Sierra Vista principal

“For the executive director to just say that he spent the last two years defending his job … and then making a bold declaration that he wants another three years extension upon that, that's not a three years I want to see for my athletes.”

— Raymond Ortiz, Las Vegas High principal

What’s next

The NIAA Board of Control will discuss Tim Jackson's contract and other governance issues at a future meeting.

The takeaway

The standoff between CCSD principals and NIAA leadership underscores the growing divide over the governance and policies of high school sports in Nevada. As the state's largest school district, CCSD's dissatisfaction could lead to further challenges to NIAA authority and potentially disrupt the landscape of high school athletics.