Reed High School students don't have very much room for personal items in their tiny, orange gym lockers. In fact, in the girls' changing area, items typically bulge out of small slits in the lockers or their backpacks are lying on benches or the floor.

Even more difficult for students is having to share a regular locker for books with another peer because there aren't enough to accommodate Reed's student population.

"The need has been identified; it's just a case of having the money (to fix it)," said Al Babb, Reed's assistant principal of athletics, buildings and grounds.

Installing larger lockers is a pressing need for the school, which was built in 1976; in fact, it's the facility's top priority, Babb said.

As some of Sparks' older schools continue to mature, buildings show a natural — and sometimes distinctly human — wear and tear on their campuses. Inside the classroom, items like computers that were top of the line a few years ago now look like antiques.

School administrators must best determine how to allocate resources available to them for the most urgent priorities when it comes to the physical condition of the campus.

For some schools, computer equipment and wireless networks are needed, as classrooms continue to find new ways of providing quality education to an increasing number of students.

At Greenbrae Elementary School, funds are needed to complete a wireless network and more PCs are needed for the classrooms.

Other needs are being satisfied through extensive donation and volunteer efforts. The school has received new playground equipment donated by the Reno Rodeo Foundation, Sparks Rotary and Redfield Foundation, among others.

A few miles away, Robert Mitchell Elementary School still retains its rich 70-year history, but needs some repairs to upgrade its energy efficiency and provide enough space for its 430 students to learn and grow.

Eileen Rountree, principal at Robert Mitchell, said the school wants to collect input from parents and staff before prioritizing its needs, but some needs are readily apparent.

The school is still using its original boiler and all rooms have their original windows.

"We have single-pane windows in the classrooms, and Prater Way is a noisy street," Rountree said, noting that the old windows are problematic during the cold winter months, as well.

"Some of the offices, including my office, still have the old radiators," Rountree said. "We need more office space and classroom space because the rooms are really small. We would like a full-sized library and a full-sized cafeteria."

Rountree also wants to maintain the historic charms of the school, in the midst of possible renovation projects.

"It is a very unique school with so much tradition," Rountree said. "There used marble in the doorway (thresholds) and we have marble stairs. We have a beautiful auditorium and I still use the original principal's desk. The school needs renovation, but there are wonderful traditions here at the same time."

Last week, the Washoe County School District Construction and Revitalization Committee proposed a funding package for this year's election ballot. The package would increase two taxes to generate revenue for school rehabilitation, combining a one-quarter-cent increase in the sales tax, amounting to about $18 million, and a half-cent increase in government services tax, adding an additional $5.5 million. The proposal would designate an estimated $23.5 million for Washoe County’s older schools and resources.

If voters approve the measure, the school district would have the challenge of figuring out how to distribute the funding, after a few priority projects are completed first.

"We agree with the school district's list on replacing non-negotiable school repairs first, such as replacing windows, blinds, paint, carpets, flooring and roofing," Rountree said.

June 2 is the deadline for determining school project priorities, and Rountree will speak with parents and staff to collect their suggestions during a craft night held on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at the school.

At Reed, Babb said handicapped access is needed for the home and visitors bleachers and even some carpet is need of replacement. Babb opened the door to a classroom where the antiquated carpet bubbles up and the seams are coming loose. Replacement would cost $5,000, he said.

"The alternative is to wait until someone gets hurt tripping on it and then money to pay for that comes from somewhere else," Babb said, referring to medical fees the district would have to pay if the bubbling carpet caused an injury.

School district inspection crews make their rounds as priorities allow, but Reed gets a visit once every six months, Babb said, and he always tells them how much he appreciates when they come. The district has a shortage of qualified technicians; Babb said the district has just one locksmith.

With the district's budget as tight as it is, sometimes, the students and booster clubs take it upon themselves to raise funds for what they need. Recently, Reed began a fundraising campaign for artificial turf for its baseball fields. The project will cost $600,000 and it could take the school a year or two to raise the money, Babb said.

Other schools have taken the initiative to fundraise for technological updates to enhance the students' educational experience.

Doug Dominguez, site facilities coordinator for Lincoln Park Elementary School, said the school's recent fund-raising efforts for a reader board raised about $2,500, and it would be an investment that would benefit the parents.

"We have mornings with delayed starts or snow days where we have to let the parents know, and we have a phone system, but parents need to be reminded constantly," Dominguez said.

A reader board to replace a sign that recently blew over in the wind, he explained, would be a more effective method of communication.

Other campus needs for Lincoln Park include replacing the soccer field, which is used by sports teams not affiliated with the school, Dominguez said.

"It's always need in repairs," he said.

The elementary school also has a need for better fencing and lighting around the campus perimeter to prevent kids from delinquent activities such as graffiti. Galvanized piping is constantly corroding as time passes. Playground equipment wears down and the school's locking system, an essential part of the safety plan in the event of a lockdown, has become inadequate.

"The years are taking their toll to aging schools and aging buildings that need upgraded things," Dominguez said. "The schools need help and there are so many schools on the list."

At the heart of the needs for the schools, Babb said, is providing students with what they'll need most: the education and skills to go on to college and the work force.

"It's a great school," Babb said. "And all the other (Washoe) schools are great schools. ...We are still trying to put out a quality product — a quality education and get our students ready for the workplace."

Tribune reporter Janine Kearney contributed to this report.