April 15, 2025

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Education mourns the loss of Elaine Wynn and honors her extraordinary legacy and unwavering commitment to improving education for all Nevada students.

Wynn served on the Nevada State Board of Education for eight years, from 2012 through 2020, and was elected as board president in 2015 and 2017.

“On behalf of the Nevada Department of Education, we are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Elaine Wynn and send our condolences to her family and close friends,” said Dr. Steve Canavero, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Ms. Wynn’s leadership left an indelible mark on Nevada’s education system through decades of service.”

Dr. Canavero worked with Wynn while previously serving as State Superintendent from 2016 to 2019.

“I worked closely with Ms. Wynn during her tenure as the President of the State Board of Education and can attest to her purpose and pursuit of improving the lives of our youth and vibrance of our communities through education,” Dr. Canavero said. “Her unrelenting focus and professionalism elevated everyone working with or around her and her sincerity in approach was endearing. She will be missed.”

Wynn began her tenure on the State Board of Education in 2012 following her appointment by then-Governor Brian Sandoval.

“Elaine was a compassionate and fierce advocate for her community,” said Dr. Katherine Dockweiler, President of the Nevada State Board of Education. “She led with purpose and an unwavering commitment of serving with excellence. Her drive and passion lifted generations of students across Nevada.”

During Wynn’s time on the board, she oversaw the hiring of three State Superintendents and championed initiatives focused on expanding Nevada’s pipeline of educators and enhancing professional development opportunities.

“Elaine led from the heart and every interaction was a lesson on how to serve others,” said Dale Erquiaga, former Superintendent of Public Instruction and former national President and CEO of Communities In Schools. “The loss to Nevada and the nation is great, but the millions of young lives she changed will someday fill that void with countless stories of success.”

Wynn – who co-founded Wynn Resorts – championed public-private partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Connecting Kids initiative.

The initiative – led by Wynn and Jim Murren, chairman of the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force - was formed during the early days of the pandemic to address student access to Internet connectivity and a computing device.

The goal was achieved to ensure that every student had Internet connectivity and a computing device to participate in distance learning.

The Nevada Department of Education recognizes and celebrates Wynn's extraordinary contributions to the state's education system and her profound impact on the lives of Nevada's students. Her legacy of dedicated public service and passionate advocacy for education will continue to inspire and be honored.

About the Nevada Department of Education

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/ and join us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.