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Translators and interpreters criticize sudden end to home-office arrangements
Summary
Translation and interpretation staff told the board that a new district decision to end home-based work and consolidate interpreters in shared on-site rooms jeopardizes confidentiality and productivity; union leaders said they were not consulted and asked for bargaining and reversal.
Multiple translators and interpreters addressed trustees during public comment on Aug. 14 to protest a recent district decision ending remote home-office arrangements and moving interpretation staff to shared on-site workspaces.
Sedevaya Hurtado and other translation staff described long experience providing remote interpretation for IEPs and other high'stakes meetings and said the home-office environment provides the quiet and confidentiality necessary for accurate work. "Placing interpreters in a portable classroom with six other interpreters... will compromise confidentiality and increase the chance of inaccuracies," Hurtado told the board.
Several speakers said they learned of the change only by supervisors and not through the bargaining unit. Jan Giles, president of Education Support Employees Association (ESEA), told trustees the union had not been consulted and that changes to work location and conditions require bargaining under state law (NRS 288.15). Roanne Triana, the district's chief human resources officer, acknowledged feedback and said the department had received both supportive and opposed comments in writing; trustees asked staff to provide follow'up.
Staff leaders acknowledged the productivity and privacy concerns: Claudia Barnes and Coco (Hergie Dienas) described increased workload and travel costs for staff who now must report to campus sites. District managers said they are trying to place interpreters where schools need on'site coverage and that leadership will work to address logistics and confidentiality; union representatives urged transparent conversations and negotiation.
Multiple speakers asked trustees to delay or rescind the change pending bargaining-unit consultation and a written implementation plan. Trustees did not act on the issue during the meeting; several trustees and staff said they would follow up with HR and ESEA.
