Parents Kendall Shotman and Vicki Foster challenge CCSD on student grade promotions

The Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of School Trustees convened on April 24, 2025, to address various educational concerns raised by parents regarding grade classification decisions that they believe violate parental rights and negatively impact their children's education.

The meeting began with Kendall Shotman, a parent educational advocate, who expressed serious concerns about the treatment of his son, Oliver Shotman. He detailed that Oliver was approved for retention in the eighth grade and placed in a CCSD-approved homeschool program due to significant family challenges. However, upon returning to school in the fall of 2024, Oliver was unexpectedly promoted to the tenth grade without parental consent, resulting in credit deficiencies for graduation. Shotman criticized the school's actions as unethical and requested a formal explanation for the promotion, emphasizing the lack of communication regarding potential repercussions of retention.

Following Shotman, Vicki Foster addressed the board on behalf of her son, Dylan Foster. She recounted a similar experience, stating that after homeschooling Dylan for the 2023-2024 school year, he was also promoted to the tenth grade upon re-enrollment, despite not having earned any high school credits. Foster raised concerns about the inconsistency in how CCSD handled grade classifications for students returning from homeschooling, questioning the fairness and transparency of the process. She requested a written explanation of the legal basis for the district's decision, highlighting that other families in similar situations had not faced the same issues.

Both parents underscored the importance of parental involvement in educational decisions and called for clarity and accountability from the school district. The board acknowledged their testimonies and indicated that their written statements would be included in the official record.

The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the CCSD's policies and practices related to student reclassification, parental rights, and the need for improved communication between the district and families. The board's response to these issues remains to be seen as they continue to navigate the complexities of educational governance.