Elizabeth Gilligan will become assistant superintendent of the Nye County School District on Nov. 16, and Jessicca Zimmerle will step into Gilligan’s role at Mt. Charleston Elementary School as interim administrator.
Superintendent Joseph H. Gent announced both appointments Nov. 9. Gilligan moves into districtwide leadership after overseeing improvements at two elementary schools, while Zimmerle takes on a leadership role at the campus where she has been teaching special education.
Gilligan joined the district in 2020 as a fourth-grade teacher at Hafen Elementary School. She became assistant principal at Manse Elementary School in 2021 and was promoted to principal in 2023. In 2025, she took over as administrator of Mt. Charleston PreK–Elementary School.
Both Manse and Mt. Charleston improved from two-star to three-star ratings under Gilligan’s leadership. In announcing her appointment, Gent credited her with building strong community relationships, supporting educators and keeping a focus on student achievement. Gilligan holds master’s degrees in elementary education and school administration.
Zimmerle began working for the district in February 2017 as a lunch aide and substitute before becoming a certified teacher in 2022. She taught at Hafen Elementary and Pathways before joining Mt. Charleston as a special education teacher.
Zimmerle holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. Gent highlighted her understanding of students’ varied learning needs and her commitment to the school community as strengths she brings to the interim role.
