Board gives preliminary approval, with amendments, to draft Safe and Healthy Schools Commission policy (BP 5800)

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees provided preliminary approval on Jan. 13, 2026, for a revised draft of Board Policy 5800 establishing the Safe and Healthy Schools Commission and opened a 13‑day public review and comment period.

Chief Student Services Officer Paul LaMarca described the proposal as a restoration and refinement of the commission—reducing membership from 15 to 11 while maintaining categories of representation and explicitly aligning the commission to Board Policy 9100 (public‑body rules). LaMarca said the commission was born after a 2013 incident at Sparks Middle School and that a standalone policy would clarify its scope and compliance with open‑meeting requirements.

Trustees proposed and adopted four amendments before preliminary approval: add a Washoe County School District staff member who works with students as a commission member; require the commission to meet quarterly and report to the board at least annually; add the word “prevention” to section 2(b) alongside intervention/diversion/discipline; and change a reference to student wellness language to read “academic” (instead of "intellectual") wellness. General counsel advised that “health, safety and welfare” is standard legal language and recommended keeping legal references while adding requested clarifications.

Clerk Christine Hall moved to provide preliminary approval with the amendments and initiate the 13‑day public review period; Vice President Alex Woodley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

“We would continue to adhere to 9,100,” LaMarca said, referring to the board policy that governs public bodies, while agreeing to add explicit reporting expectations the board requested.

The amended draft will be posted for public comment for 13 days; the board will consider any submitted comments before returning for final action.