Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter. 

This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources throughout the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it each week via email.

I want to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions on what I should be covering to [email protected]. 

News briefs

💵 Clark County School Board approves settlement over police altercation 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. A video from Feb. 3, 2023 showed a Clark County school police officer pushing a Black student to the ground and placing his knee on the student’s back to hold him down and handcuffing another, sparking community backlash.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, who represents the students’ families, took the district to court last April to obtain public records.

Last December, the court ordered the district to release body camera footage and other records. An appeal related to additional records from the district’s investigation of the incident is pending before the Nevada Supreme Court. 

The ACLU of Nevada said in a statement that Thursday’s settlement avoids an additional civil rights case being brought on behalf of the students. 

“We’ve spent nearly two years seeking justice for our clients, their families, and the wider community, and we hope tonight’s settlement will help our clients and their families on their way to healing and peace,” said ACLU of Nevada Legal Director Chris Peterson. 
The settlement was opposed by the Police Officer’s Association of the Clark County School District, which denied any wrongdoing, and said the district and whoever decided on the settlement “should be ashamed” of themselves.

School Spotlight

Nonprofit motivating high school students to reach graduation, plan for future

By the time that Omari Mangram, a military brat, transferred to Legacy High School in North Las Vegas as a junior, he had social anxiety from bouncing from school to school and just wanted to do the bare minimum.

But that changed after Mangram, 19, went through the Jobs for America’s Graduates Nevada 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 break out of his shell and find his motivation.

“I warmed up to them and they taught me so many things,” he told students during a visit to Legacy last Thursday. “This is like having a third parent with you.”

The state affiliate, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year, serves nearly 3,000 Nevada students at 47 high schools across 14 school districts with high percentages 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 such as resume building, as well as after school opportunities and tutoring. In 2017, the nonprofit partnered with Tesla to offer apprenticeship opportunities at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Northern Nevada, including paying for rent for their first month on the job and covering apartment application fees. 

“The mission of the program is to help young people who face barriers to their success to be able to reengage with school and to graduate and to more importantly, to enter career pathways that will help them build a good, prosperous life for themselves and their families,” said JAG Nevada Executive Director René Cantú. 

Hanna Andersen, one of the three JAG specialists at Legacy, tailors her classes to fit her students’ interests and needs to get them ready for the real world such as 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 a good relationship with our students so it's easier to motivate them 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 career types, and ultimately led Mangram to consider a career he’s more passionate about — being a barber. 

The support doesn’t end after the students leave high school. JAG specialists regularly check in with graduates and continue providing them with guidance and support as they navigate college and careers and even provide financial support if they are struggling to buy textbooks for college. 

“They just don’t just throw you out in the world,” said Mangram, who one day hopes to open his own barbershop. “They really set you up to get a job in life.”

Have a student or staffer who 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 run-down Owyhee school on 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 a victory in the 2023 legislative session.

Freshman Orientation: Sen. Shelly Cruz-Crawford “grew up” in Vegas casinos

New lawmaker and Clark County elementary school principal Michelee Cruz-Crawford said education and energy are among her top legislative priorities. 

First details (and questions) emerge on Lombardo’s legislative priorities

Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office shared more details on the education proposal he teased during his 2025 State of the State address.

Extra Credit

Carson Now: Ethics review of four Douglas County School District board members: Corrective action plan handed down

Las Vegas Sun: Nevada panel determines CCSD does not need fiscal oversight over deficit report

Events

🍎 Washoe County School Board meeting — Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2 p.m. 

The agenda includes a discussion on school funding and the upcoming legislative session. 

💵 School choice rally — Thursday, Jan. 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

School choice advocates are rallying at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City for National School Choice Week. The event will feature parent and student speakers.  

Featured social media post 

Students, don’t miss out on free money.