Local News

Actions

CCSD to host community roundtable to discuss appropriate staff-student relationships

Posted at 11:09 AM, Jun 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-15 20:07:18-04

UPDATE JUNE 16: At least one teacher disagrees with the changes being suggested.

Karlana Kulseth is an online teacher with Nevada Learning Academy. She uses multiple forms of electronics to communicate with her kids, some recorded and some not. She worries that changes to regulations and poliies could hurt her relationships with students.

For example, one student texted her saying he wanted to commit suicide.

"I told him, I understand, and that's where the personal conversation comes in," Kulseth said. "I understand you're struggling, let's see what we can do."

Under the proposed changes, the conversation would be considered inappropriate, but Kulseth disagrees.

"When we're talking about inappropriate, now we're getting down to what exactly is inappropriate," she said.

UPDATE JUNE 15: Many parents want to know what the school district is doing to protect students, after 13 CCSD employees were arrested just this school year for inappropriate relationships with students.  However, some online teachers don't agree with some of the draft policies and regulations being presented at Thursday's meeting.  

One online teacher, Karlana Kulseth, uses multiple forms of electronics to communicate with her kids, some recorded and some not.  She worries any changes made to the regulations and policies could hurt her relationships with students and their unique classroom environment.  

"Obviously we don't see our students face to face, so we have to resort to using electronic means of communication," says Kulseth.  

The public roundtable meeting will be held at Chaparral High School Thursday at 5:30 p.m. 

UPDATE JUNE 14: 13 Action News sat down with an assistant superintendent of CCSD's Education Services Division to discuss the new proposals ahead of Thursday's meeting.

This past school year, 13 school district employees and representatives have been arrested for inappropriate conduct with students.

RELATED: School staff arrested during 2016-17 school year

"To keep on doing what we are doing, clearly is not impacting," said Dr. Tammy Malich, "Can anything impact it?  I don't know but let's do something different."

Dr. Malich, and others including police and DA's Office, have been working on the model draft policy and regulation since April. The proposal will change the way students and teachers communicate.  

After community feedback, the policy and regulation will be taken to the board for approval.  

The goal is to have the new rules in place by fall.

ORIGINAL STORY

On June 15, the Clark County School District will host a community roundtable to discuss and gain input on a draft policy and regulation regarding appropriate relationships, interactions and communications between employees and students.

The event will be held at Chaparral High School theater (3850 Annie Oakley Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89121) between 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.

Members of the community who are unable to attend Thursday's roundtable are invited to read the draft policy and regulation and take a survey giving their input at ccsd.net/protectourkids.
   
The members of the roundtable discussion are listed below:

  • CCSD Board of School Trustees President Deanna L. Wright
  • CCSD Board of School Trustees member Kevin L. Child
  • CCSD Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky
  • CCSD Chief Human Resources Officer Andre Long
  • Clark County Deputy District Attorney James Sweetin
  • Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lieutenant Dave Valenta
  • Forensic psychologist Dr. Glenn Lipson
  • Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees
  • Deputy Executive Director Bill Garis
  • Mojave High School teacher Debra Brown