As national political tensions creep into the Clark County School District (CCSD) following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and ramped up immigration enforcement from the Trump administration, Superintendent Jhone Ebert said she’s staying “laser focused” on educating children. 

“We grow Democrats, we grow Republicans, we grow independents,” she said during The Nevada Independent’s IndyTalks event on Monday at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. “That is what we're teaching kids — to think critically, to be able to communicate, to get their points across.”

During the hourlong conversation, Ebert addressed community members’ calls for disciplinary action against CCSD teachers who had been suspended from classroom activity following comments they made on social media about Kirk’s killing. 

“My responsibility is to make sure that all of our children and our staff are safe, and what has transpired has created an environment that is not healthy for learning,” Ebert said.

When Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston asked what criteria the district uses to determine whether an employee should be fired for their speech or whether those teachers should be allowed to return to the classroom, she replied “I’m working with my lawyers.”

She also discussed concerns about increased immigration enforcement action. Before the beginning of the school year, Ebert had said she had received assurances from federal officials that they would not be conducting immigration enforcement at schools. 

Ebert said on Monday that immigration officials are doing their job and staying outside of CCSD schools. Though families are still fearful, Ebert said the district has not seen an increase in student absences. 

“The kids are coming to school, they need to know that we want them in school, that our schools are safe, and we continue getting that word out,” she said. 

Watch the full discussion here: