The nation’s fifth-largest school district, Clark County, launched the 2025-26 academic year on Monday with its first full term under Superintendent Jhone Ebert and a stronger staffing base than in recent years. District data show 19,381 licensed educators on payroll, the most in five years, while teacher retention has risen to 94.4 percent, leaving only about 200 vacancies. Student enrollment has climbed to 284,316—roughly 6,000 more than last August—reversing a pandemic-era decline. The growth allowed the Las Vegas-area system to open seven campuses, including the South Career & Technical Academy, and to expand early-childhood capacity by 500 seats to about 11,000. Ebert said the district will focus on boosting math and reading proficiency and is enforcing a new pouch requirement that keeps cell phones out of use during class in middle and high schools. Safety remained a priority on opening day. The Clark County School District Police Department reported 207 traffic stops and more than 70 citations around campuses, and the city has added crossing guards at two additional high schools following a student fatality last year. Officials urged drivers to avoid U-turns in school zones as the district settles into the new term.