Douglas County School Board acknowledges attorney general findings on public comment violations

The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees convened on May 20, 2025, to address several key issues, including a significant finding from the Nevada Attorney General regarding a violation of open meeting laws. The meeting began with the adoption of a flexible agenda, which was unanimously approved after the removal of an item concerning a memorandum of understanding with a local tribe.

The board then moved to agenda item number eight, where Mr. Russell presented findings from the Attorney General's office. The findings indicated that during a previous meeting in February, the board had unlawfully cut off public comment, violating the open meeting law. The Attorney General concluded that the interruption was not content-neutral and did not disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting. The board was required to acknowledge these findings formally.

Following the presentation, a motion was made by Trustee Miller to acknowledge the findings, which was seconded by Trustee Zinky. Public comments were invited, leading to a series of statements from community members. Leslie Hokanson, the individual affected by the previous interruption, expressed her concerns about the board's actions and highlighted the Attorney General's findings, emphasizing the importance of allowing public critique of elected officials. Other speakers echoed her sentiments, calling for accountability and an apology from the board for past actions that they deemed disrespectful to public comment.

The board listened to various perspectives, with some community members urging for consequences against Trustee Jensen for her previous conduct. After public comments concluded, the board voted unanimously to acknowledge the Attorney General's findings, marking a significant step in addressing the concerns raised by the community.

The meeting then transitioned to agenda item number 13, where the board prepared to discuss budget matters, indicating a busy agenda ahead. The board's commitment to transparency and adherence to legal standards was a focal point of the discussions, reflecting ongoing tensions between board members and the community regarding governance and accountability.