By Rachel Caldwell, Power2Parent
By Rachel Arroyo Caldwell, Power2Parent
Within the last six months, 19 handguns were confiscated on Clark County School District property, according to the CCSD Firearms Confiscation Report.
Ninety knives and fifty-six items classified as ‘other weapons’ were confiscated on property between August 2023 and February 2024.
These numbers do not encompass weapons confiscated off property by juveniles and adults affiliated with CCSD. In total, 34 handguns, 4 long guns, 97 knives and 57 ‘other weapons’ were logged as part of the report, which can be found here.
In spite of the increase in numbers of weapons confiscated, CCSD leadership has waffled on the installation of metal detectors. Metal detectors were initially slated to be installed by August 2023 based on a statement from then Superintendent Jesus Jara, according to a news article by 8NewsNow.
No metal detectors were installed. Rather, CCSD uses a weapons search program using handheld metal detectors. Middle school and high school students are randomly selected for search by a computer. Elementary school students are exempt from the search program.
In this year’s State of the School Address, some enhanced security measures were listed including the addition of four K9 officers, some school social workers, and the expansion of the Emergency Management team.
At some unidentified campuses, “the district implemented new fencing, changes to campus traffic flow, a single point of entry system, an Instant Alert system, and upgraded security cameras on campuses and buses, collectively contributing to a more secure educational setting.” A universal visitor management system is in the works.
Former Superintendent Jara indicated in the 8NewsNow article mentioned previously that metal detectors could become an issue for schools to address on an individual basis.
With this in mind, my recommendation for concerned parents is to become familiar with their School Organizational Team (SOT). Required by law, these SOTs consist of elected parents, teachers, staff and community members. SOT participants work with schools locally to enact change.
Resources for CCSD SOTs can be found here.
Concerned parents are also able to speak at the CCSD School Board Meetings by calling the board office at (702) 799-1072 at least three hours prior to the start of the meeting. Or, individuals may sign up to provide public comment immediately before the start of the meeting. If you would like assistance preparing to speak at a Board Meeting, please reach out to us at info@power2parent.com.
