By james art 
Good morning and welcome to Indy Education newsletter. I am Rocio Hernandez, Nevida Independent K-12 Education Reporter.
This newsletter provides a summary of the latest education stories and highlights interesting faculty, students, programs and other events and resources across the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it weekly by email.
I want to hear from you! Send questions, comments, or suggestions for what I should cover [email protected].
News
đź’µ Clark County School Board Approves Settlement Over Police Disputes With Students – The Clark County School Board voted Thursday to approve a $1 million settlement with the families of two Durango High School students involved in an altercation two years ago with district police. Video From February 3, 2023 showed a Clark County police officer pushing a black student to the ground and placing his knee on the student’s back to restrain and handcuff him, igniting the community.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which represents the students’ families, took the district to court last April to obtain public records.
Last December, a court ordered the district to release body camera footage and other recordings. An appeal involving additional records from the crash site investigation is pending before the Nevada Supreme Court.
The ACLU of Nevada said in a statement that Thursday’s settlement avoids an additional civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of the students.
“We have spent nearly two years seeking justice for our clients, their families and the larger community, and we hope tonight to settle with our clients and their families on a path to healing and peace,” said ACLU of Nevada Legal Director Chris Peterson.
The settlement was opposed by the Clark County School District Police Officers Association, which denied any wrongdoing and said the district and whoever decided to settle should be ashamed of themselves.
School spotlight
Nonprofit motivating high school students to reach graduation, plan for the future
By the time Omari Mangrama, a military dad, transferred to Legacy High School in North Las Vegas as a junior, he was experiencing social anxiety from bouncing from school to school and just wanted to do the bare minimum.
But that changed after 19-year-old Mangram went through Nevada’s Work for American Alumni program. Mangram, who graduated from Legacy last year, said the program — which aims to help high school students overcome barriers to graduation and prepare them for college or the workforce — helped him come out of his shell and find his motivation.
“I warmed to them and they taught me so many things,” he told students during a heritage visit last Thursday. “It’s like having a third parent with you.”
The state affiliate, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, serves nearly 3,000 Nevada students in 47 high schools in 14 school districts with a high percentage of students from low-income households.
Jag Nevada offers elective classes that students can take alongside their core classes that focus on career exploration and soft skills like resume building, as well as after school opportunities and training. In 2017 the nonprofit partnered with Tesla to offer apprenticeship opportunities at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Northern Nevada, including paying rent for their first month of employment and covering apartment application fees.
“The program’s mission is to help young people who face barriers to success so they can readjust to school and graduate and, more importantly, enter career paths that will help them build a good, prosperous lives for themselves and their Families,” said Jag Nevada Executive Director Rene Cantu.
Hannah Andersen, one of three JAG specialists at Legacy, tailors her classes to meet her students’ interests and needs to prepare them for the real world, like the difference between W2 and W4 tax forms, how to sign their names in cursive or How to find their own apartment.
She said mentorship is a big aspect of what makes the program so successful.
“We try to build good relationships with our students, so it’s easier to motivate and support them to achieve their goals,” Andersen said.
The program helped Mangram — who had previously envisioned following in his parent’s footsteps — realize the military wasn’t for him. The class taught him about different types of careers and eventually led Mangram to consider a career he was more passionate about – being a barber.
Support does not end once students leave high school. JAG specialists regularly check in with graduates and continue to provide guidance and support as they navigate college and careers, and even provide financial support if they are struggling to purchase college textbooks.
“They just don’t throw you out into the world,” said Mangram, who one day hopes to open his own barber shop. “They really set you up to get a job in life.”
Do you have a student or staff member we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at [email protected].
Reading assignments
After setbacks, plan to replace the demolished Owyhee School for a reservation moving forward
The Elko County School District received a bid last week to build a new school in a northeastern Nevada tribal community. The project faced setbacks last year after winning the 2023 legislative session.
Freshman Orientation: Sen. Shelley Crews-Crawford ‘Grew Up’ in Vegas Casinos
Incoming legislator and Clark County Elementary School Principal Michele Cruz-Crawford said education and energy are among her top legislative priorities.
First details (and questions) are emerging on Lombardo’s legislative priorities
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office has shared more details about the education proposal he teased during his 2025 State of the State address.
Extra credit
Carson now: Ethics review of four Douglas County School Board members: Corrective action plan submitted
Las Vegas Sun: Nevada panel determines CCSD does not need fiscal oversight over deficit report
Events
🍎 Washoe County School Board Meeting – Tuesday, January 28, 2:00 p.m.
The program includes a discussion about school funding and the upcoming legislative session.
đź’µ School Choice Rally-Thursday, January 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
School Choice advocates gather at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City for National School Choice Week. The event will include parents and students.
Featured Social Media Post
Students, don’t miss out on free money.
