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School board tables field-use agreement with Clark County Youth Athletics after public concern
Summary
The Clark County Board of Education delayed action on a memorandum of agreement (MOA) governing community use of the Justice Elementary football field, citing missing board members and requests for more information after testimony from local youth athletics representatives.
The Clark County Board of Education voted to table consideration of a memorandum of agreement allowing Clark County Youth Athletics (CCYA) to use the Justice Elementary football field until its March regular meeting.
Board member Paula Thomas said she would make the motion to delay the item until all five board members could be present. The motion was seconded and taken with no recorded opposition; board members said they preferred a fuller discussion before approving the agreement.
Their decision followed extended public comment from CCYA representatives and affiliated volunteers who asked the board to allow continuing use of the Justice field for youth programs. James Day, who identified himself as speaking on behalf of CCYA, described the league’s low fees, volunteer-run operations and the costs of jerseys and equipment. "We are a 501(c)(3), and we get all our money from donations," he said. Day said the organization has regularly maintained the field, set up lines and helped with middle-school needs.
Jessica Hopper, a CCYA board member, told trustees the dispute centers on a "no-compete" clause that would restrict CCYA programming for older children. "We are not trying to compete with the school with the middle school," Hopper said, and she urged the trustees to reconsider language that would bar fifth- and sixth-grade participation.
Brandon Watkins, district facilities staff, told the board the memorandum was a return item: the district had used a similar document in prior years and staff recommended an agreement restricted to youth ages through fourth grade for the present year because the district plans to start a fifth- and sixth-grade school team. "We had one with them last year," Watkins said, and the change reflects the district's new fifth- and sixth-grade program.
Several board members said they wanted the full five-member board present before deciding. The motion to table passed; the board directed staff to bring the MOA back at the March meeting with additional information and said community members may email trustees if they wish to add materials prior to reconsideration.
Ending: The item will return to the board’s March regular meeting agenda. Trustees and staff said they want to review the MOA’s language and the implications for school programs and community leagues before taking final action.
