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

🍎 Washoe County School Board appoints new trustee — The Washoe County School Board voted unanimously to appoint retired Reno police officer and former Pyramid Lake Tribal Council Chairman James "JJ" Phoenix to the District C seat previously held by now Sparks City Councilman Joe Rodriguez. District C includes Spanish Springs and North Valleys. Phoenix will serve out the two years that remained on Rodriguez’s term. 

Phoenix wrote in his application that he’s interested in ensuring equality for all students, including Native and rural students. 

The board also voted last Tuesday to re-elect Beth Smith as its president and Adam Mayberry as vice president. It also elected Trustee Alex Woodley as the board’s clerk. 

Down south, the Clark County School Board voted earlier this month to appoint former Democratic Assemblywoman Irene Bustamante Adams as the board’s president. Last year, she tended to vote with the majority bloc, but broke away occasionally, including to oppose former Superintendent Jesus Jara’s initial resignation terms, which included a $500,000 buyout. 

The Clark County School Board also elected Brenda Zamora as its vice president, and Tameka Henry, one of the four newest trustees, as clerk.

School Spotlight

From translations to training, Carson High employee helps Latino families feel welcome

Drawing on her own experience as the child of immigrants, Leticia Servin has worked for more than 25 years to get Carson City’s Latino parents and families involved in their students’ education and break down language and culture barriers. 

Hispanic students make up the largest student group in the Carson City School District, with 47 percent, followed by white students, at 44 percent. 

Servin, 54, has worn many hats during her time at the Carson City School District including working as a districtwide Hispanic parent liaison, an aid for students learning English as a second language and a migrant families advocate. 

She also founded a Latino parent committee that grew into a Latino families association, which has worked to incorporate cultural elements — such as traditional celebrations including Day of the Dead — into the school district to make Latino families feel more welcome. They also started a youth recognition program that celebrated students’ accomplishments big or small. 

Servin remembers hearing a student who told his mother he wanted to get smarter so he could be “famous” like his big sister, who was recognized. He did just that as a high school student. 

“It was so nice to see his expression when he finally got the certificate,” she said. “This is why I'm serving the community — to make sure that our kids graduate and move on.”

Servin’s passion stems from her own experience as a daughter of a Mexican migrant worker and a former English language learner and special education student. 

“My whole goal was making Carson City a place where my kids feel like they belong to, and that our families that were coming in also felt that they were part of our district,” she said. 

Today, Servin works as the bilingual parent engagement coordinator at Carson High School, conducting training in English and Spanish to help increase parents’ awareness of the educational opportunities available at the district and how to advocate for their children. 

Last year, she offered families a presentation titled “Finish Strong,” which focused on strategies to make the last weeks of the school year count. The district said the initiative was instrumental in increasing the number of students who met their graduation requirements. 

She also provides support districtwide as the lead translator. During the pandemic, Servin’s work was vital in discussions on fluid regulations and protocols related to the pandemic.

In December, the Nevada Association of School Boards recognized Servin’s work by presenting her with the School District Employee Making a Difference award, which is given to school staff members who provide an invaluable service to Nevada’s children through work that’s often behind the scenes. 

“I felt very accomplished, but I know that there's more I can still do at the district,” Servin said.

Servin said she aims to work more with families of elementary school students so they can be motivated to learn at an earlier age and be better prepared by the time they get to high school. 

“This is my second home, and I can truly say that I am in a job that I love, and I think when you're in a job that you love, you don't call it a job,” she said. 

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

Lombardo State of the State takeaways: Permanent teacher raises, stricter theft laws

Last week, the Republican governor proposed making funding for teacher pay raises approved two years ago permanent and extending those pay raises to all charter school teachers. 

Extra Credit

Chalkbeat: Many schools used COVID aid on long-term needs like curriculum and buildings, new report says

Events

💵 Legislative commission’s budget subcommittee — Thursday, Jan. 23, 8:30 a.m.  

The agenda includes a discussion of funding for K-12 education, the Nevada Department of Education and Nevada System of Higher Education. 

🍎 Clark County School Board meeting — Thursday, Jan. 23, 5 p.m. 

The agenda includes a report from its state-assigned budget compliance monitor Yolanda King of King Strategies. 

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