[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6496179,"mediaKeyId","5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653","parentId",5745040,"title","Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved; preliminary approval for employee-speech policy initiated","audioSeconds",7699,"startMs",1212000,"endMs",8911000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653&start=1212&end=8911","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653/thumbnail_1212000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496179/Nevada/Votes-at-a-glance-consent-agenda-approved-preliminary-approval-for-employee-speech-policy-initiated","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496179-d596753ec1b86dd5746bc85132230d11/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575229&Signature=Qs2HQYujyGZnL957G2tstf7Qb2q-eIVkspkrPQbJidy4ce5NnoBoULL8wNtFI1RYXQ8xeAPiPSwzGnUcWY~m~URzmoMertMjUaEgoV-RExCfXAFkwO9ePGf-XcYTP1z5V1YkCsUZIbwUFDHuRBK8mmAFl31yIaAzei0KNPO2xPjW7z9AsmN1A5QkHiL2hMrZlJVqxaPFYbUVIjKqRhDhe2YJsKqvTKASySq~TrV9b-u7VtrOtgLG~VUjbRdL76PnU5M-NxAoFth9KBRZ4ko2ySt08M7u0RLlEM8aKgzAh3hAv8Ljv-vHRQsxBrzbWVlxBXJhljnvNkYzu1NaRYCvHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washoe County School District, NV","date","2025-09-09T15:20:12Z","article","The Washoe County School District board recorded two formal actions on Sept. 9: approval of the consent agenda and preliminary approval to amend Board Policy 4,500 (District Employee Speech), which begins a 13-day public review.

Consent agenda: Trustee Dr. Diane Nicolette moved to approve consent items 2.02 through 2.14; Trustee Phoenix seconded. Chair called the vote; the motion carried, 7 to 0.

Board Policy 4,500: Vice President Mayberry moved and Trustee Dr. Diane Nicolette seconded a motion to provide preliminary approval to proposed amendments to Board Policy 4,500 and to initiate a 13-day public review and comment period. The motion carried, 7 to 0.

Both actions were recorded in the meeting minutes and will be reflected in the official public record; the policy amendment will be posted for public comment and followed by a draft administrative regulation that will also be posted for comment before final board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-9-2025 WCSD Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","Board approved the consent agenda (items 2.02–2.14) and gave preliminary approval to revisions to Board Policy 4,500, initiating a 13-day public review; both motions passed 7-0.","taxTitle","WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Nevada","taxId",13428,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496184,"Board gives preliminary approval to revised employee-speech policy; 13-day public review to begin",2167,6744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653&start=6744&end=8911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653/thumbnail_6744000.jpg","/articles/6496184/Nevada/Board-gives-preliminary-approval-to-revised-employee-speech-policy-13-day-public-review-to-begin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496184-b872363553dbdbed8adfae3782f992f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575229&Signature=ozqTVqXkkgUtPTUVT7fDYJcTN8eAxjCP~udgO9Ok3dyGyBTaclw6Cb4TS5iLzcY0MXqbqLrQPs6yX3jXBy4wJBDWfWuZnYZNlfm35YlYz-bePXnG3JChXVw-UFMSReBdZtO04ZmTTRT~ot-1VWuEN21YLKH6oXddSmpAzbaSxyePBWMiihYQtoDLxj~wWEZVq9YDzp6PVipLp1d1g0xwjvMVUkOHXQ7C7fQHvSh7euMmc~u32c81cxwJQkhjcirBZQrs0zJZoi754gqlCweOpWcKrMYw38WceSxOzc7pUEGfJvAfcNsZbdhOViNPh~RRrGSXmi9pQXJNJUECWx-CDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washoe County School District board on Sept. 9 gave preliminary approval to an amended Board Policy 4,500 governing district employee speech and directed a 13-day public review and comment period for the draft. The motion passed 7-0.

Kevin Pick, presenting for the office of general counsel, said the revised policy adds definitions (including “matter of public concern” and “private capacity”) and clarifies when employees may speak as private citizens on public issues versus when speech could be construed as official district communication. Pick said recent public comment and trustee input were incorporated and that the new language drew on jury-instruction standards used by courts to evaluate First Amendment claims.

Trustee Colleen Westlake read a public-disclosure statement that she said was required under NRS 241.0365 after she replied-all to a public comment email related to the item; she told the board her reply was limited and that no promise or commitment was made. Westlake asked that her email be placed in the public record.

Trustees asked staff how the policy would be implemented and where employees should turn for guidance. Counsel said administrators and HR would be the primary routes: employees should work through supervisors and HR for legal questions, and the district will follow the policy with a subsequent administrative regulation that will be posted for a separate 13-day public comment period. Counsel also confirmed the district provides training to administrators on the legal standards involved.

After board discussion, Vice President Mayberry moved and Trustee Dr. Diane Nicolette seconded a motion “that the Board of Trustees provides preliminary approval to the proposed amendments to Board Policy 4,500 District Employee Speech, and initiates a 13 day public review and comment period.” The motion carried 7-0.

Board staff noted the district had received public comments on the draft from employee associations and civil-rights groups and said substantive comments would be evaluated; if material language changes are required after public comment, the administration will return to the board rather than adopt changes administratively.

The next step is the 13-day public review. If the policy returns to the board after the comment period with changes, any material change would restart a public review and call for another board vote; administrative regulations that implement the policy will also be posted for public comment before final adoption.","Trustees provided preliminary approval to amend Board Policy 4,500 (District Employee Speech) and initiated a 13-day public comment period on the draft policy; vote was 7-0.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496189,"Washoe County School District marks Deaf Awareness Month, highlights DHH programs and new school accommodations",1981,4392000,6373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653&start=4392&end=6373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653/thumbnail_4392000.jpg","/articles/6496189/Nevada/Washoe-County-School-District-marks-Deaf-Awareness-Month-highlights-DHH-programs-and-new-school-accommodations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496189-17ee49fb97b442d8f89c470207f0399e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575229&Signature=Ur7FJoHJUTEkwpPAkEwwD8Fk4ZThTMCgDJde6VCkBWoeQZpDrpfRonJjq7q3sOKrFUS4bkq7rCpJXZdS02n8ugbh-L4tdHaJ4AG4gt4MhSsrcWkHPZgXxU~-mrihJGh-uDQYOzwaXqBKdo8z3~WkwpzwiQl3De4LxOufPuHAizjZ0OMbf-cTup7mbCxpdCCcO70St6RRDLS4Q8FSWaJqy~Ftpf5gfcXgU0mmPHdCHW8yIAA~nzreReSi9tADF7ct8rxwxsdcFNY1A5R-nCrg52u1aWOqVT-Pp3NDJwFPO-BqlgIYKqax4leZkxcO1GC7ji8lUx9WBhXTV4fzC316Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washoe County School District board of trustees on Sept. 9 recognized September as Deaf Awareness Month and heard presentations about services and supports available to deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students across the district.

Jennifer Vantress, chief academic officer for student development, told the board the district serves about 105 DHH students from birth through age 21 in a range of communication modalities. She described DHH programs at Hidden Valley Elementary, Vaughn Middle School and Wooster High School, where students receive instruction in both English and American Sign Language and have access to itinerant teachers of the deaf, speech-language pathologists and assistive hearing technology.

Two Vaughn students — Lucy Wilcox and DJ Salmon — spoke about their experiences. Lucy said the district’s interpreters, assistants and captioning “support me every day.” DJ, who described early struggles with language access, told the board he now “loves middle school” because he receives instruction in a DHH classroom, has interpreters and is “learning ASL.”

Staff explained supports that DHH students routinely receive: teachers of the deaf who provide specially designed instruction, ASL interpreters, teacher assistants, note takers, captioning on district videos and hearing assistive technology such as FM/DM systems and sound fields. Angela Flora, director of special education programs, summarized the instructional goal succinctly: “Access drives our achievement.”

Board members asked about qualifications for educational interpreters. An interpreter on the panel explained Nevada requires a bachelor’s degree, registration with the state, a written test and a performance assessment called the Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment (EIPA). Nevada requires an interpreter score of 4.0 for non-provisional assignments; provisional interpreters may work at lower scores while they upskill to the 4.0 standard.

Principal Mandy Lobkowitz described accessibility features planned for the new Vaughn Middle School building, including closed-captioning-capable displays, classroom beaming of public-address announcements and upgraded emergency-alert systems to ensure students who are deaf or hard of hearing receive emergency and routine communications.

Superintendent Joe Ernst and trustees praised the students’ presentations. The board adopted a proclamation recognizing Deaf Awareness Month and encouraged the public to learn about deaf culture, ASL and accessibility practices.

Staff noted that DHH services and placements are governed by federal law and district practice under IDEA, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and they described the district’s process for determining individualized supports via IEPs and 504 plans.","District leaders and students described services for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners, interpreter qualifications and planned facilities upgrades at Vaughn Middle School as the board proclaimed September Deaf Awareness Month.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496194,"Washoe County School District highlights drop in chronic absenteeism, names September Attendance Awareness Month",2224,1249000,3473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653&start=1249&end=3473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745040-11ad414f477d071aed79047dd44c1653/thumbnail_1249000.jpg","/articles/6496194/Nevada/Washoe-County-School-District-highlights-drop-in-chronic-absenteeism-names-September-Attendance-Awareness-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496194-a3381590a98a09cbdcba90f40a70b2e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575229&Signature=GQhl~qavSW17dU1U3oztTfFZPukUDYCHDam1SXd3g8NNmWNKIiOATW43PzQuDaVeOZE9Xk6OPa~Mja2jUQJo24vwPUlg2-7OH3SRlulwYoWI5rI~x6UekXQMQRhW0u55~lfFDlsrncad9ZvsBx-TDpuGGZ1pYkuLvx1MCQQVsPsgflNvQQUTSgaPJVDY0rtUbJnj3vPRomAuy51xBSZXh8rN64~yigAnN93Ejy0NIAqhyjY8PWmDqXqA25C7EH5Er4IJzdBxmtfaELq5aF3JxIzlOeqBxC91xDqFTWSvXf4BiaLQZz~EUNZ45Mq5OQbcvxjxE1M-0gF5ji1xjKAzwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washoe County School District board of trustees on Sept. 9 heard a district presentation that tied measurable reductions in chronic absenteeism to school-level strategies and community partnerships and adopted a proclamation declaring September Attendance Awareness Month.

District Chief Student Services Officer Paul LaMarca opened the presentation by stressing the link between attendance and learning: “attendance matters,” he said, noting national research and the district’s strategic plan alignment. Rochelle Murillo, director of intervention, told trustees the district rolled out a comprehensive chronic-absence plan in 2024 that included professional development, toolkits for principals, reengagement specialists and school-based attendance officers placed to support every campus.

The district credited community partners with helping remove barriers to daily attendance. Kurt Misha of PBS Reno described a public-service campaign the station produced and aired for the district and its partners, saying the spots were “vitally important” to reaching families. Misha said the campaign aired 4,187 times on PBS channels, a placement value the station estimated at about $114,000, and that Nevada broadcasters ran a combined 13,546 announcements statewide after the station distributed the spots to the Nevada Broadcasters Association.

Katie Simon Holland, leader of the Strengthen Our Communities task force, described a public–private effort that has raised over $1 million in commitments to expand family resource centers and fund reengagement specialists in middle schools. “We all own this,” she told the board, explaining the task force’s focus on nonpunitive supports such as transportation, health services and outreach rather than suspension or criminal penalties.

Trainer Middle School principal Lucy Dugan and assistant principal Dana Roberts described school strategies that helped reduce Trainer’s chronic-absence rate by 10 percent last year. Roberts said staff monitored chronic-absence data daily, made positive outreach calls, used home visits when needed and linked students to extracurricular activities. Roberts also described a walking-school-bus pilot: staff and volunteers meet students at Pat Baker Park, about a half-mile from the school, and walk them together across busy streets; attendance at the walk started at about 15 students the first day, peaked near 50 for a day and has stabilized around 20 regular participants.

District and community leaders emphasized a shift away from punitive responses. Katie Simon Holland and board members said the district’s reengagement specialists and family resource centers focus on addressing underlying barriers such as housing, health care, transportation and bullying. Superintendent Joe Ernst read the board’s proclamation recognizing September as Attendance Awareness Month, calling for trauma-informed, prevention-first approaches rather than punitive discipline for absences.

Trustees praised the work and encouraged continued attention to kindergarten attendance and upper-grade seat-time issues highlighted by staff, then posed questions about sustaining funding and measuring academic effects of improved attendance. Staff said some legislative changes may be needed to address lower kindergarten attendance and seat-time rules for upper high school grades.

The district said it will continue the community task force work, expand partnerships with Community Health Alliance for on-site care at some schools and evaluate the media and school-based interventions to sustain and deepen gains.","District officials credited school interventions, community partnerships and a media campaign with declines in chronic absenteeism and asked the board to proclaim September Attendance Awareness Month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved; preliminary approval for employee-speech policy initiated

Board gives preliminary approval to revised employee-speech policy; 13-day public review to begin

Washoe County School District marks Deaf Awareness Month, highlights DHH programs and new school accommodations

Washoe County School District highlights drop in chronic absenteeism, names September Attendance Awareness Month