UPDATE, February 2021:

Officials from the Carson City School District released a statement on the investigation of an Eagle Valley Middle School teacher accused of making discriminatory comments last year.

The comments were allegedly made during a social studies class lesson in November 2020.

Officials provided a breakdown of the investigation below:

  • That day, the student took offense from alleged discriminatory comments made by the teacher.  
  • There were no previous allegations or complaints of discriminatory comments with this teacher prior to November 20, 2020. 
  • The family of the student verbally requested the student be moved out of the accused teacher’s class.  
  • The district followed the procedures of an Informal Resolution as detailed in Regulation No. 903 and immediately moved the student to another class/teacher.  
  • The family declined the district’s offer of face-to-face meetings with the teacher and administrators.  
  • The school supported the family’s decision to allow the student to remain at home for the remainder of the semester utilizing remote-online learning (November 30, 2020 through January 15, 2021). 
  • The accused teacher was placed on administrative leave on November 23, 2020.  
  • The accused teacher provided a letter of apology and explanation of the lesson to the student and family on November 24, 2020.  
  • Following the Thanksgiving Holiday, December 2, 2020, an investigation was further conducted in which site administrators interviewed and took statements from other students in the classroom.  
  • The accused teacher was interviewed on December 3, 2020, and denied any wrong-doing or discriminatory intent.  
  • The student witnesses, aside from the complaining student, indicated the teacher did not purposely or willfully make comments to offend.  
  • The accused teacher met with the site administrator on December 17, 2020, where due process was afforded as stated in the Certified Collective Bargaining Agreement, to allow all sides of the incident to be expressed.  
  • The district concluded, although the accused teacher’s educational objective was appropriate, the method/approach was inappropriate and constituted an error in judgement. 
  • The accused teacher’s supervisor administered progressive discipline.  
  • The district allowed the teacher to resume teaching on January 4, 2021, while the student was distance learning. 
  • No other requests were made by the parent or family until January 14, 2021. 
  • The district received the first written complaint from the family on January 14, 2021 referencing district Policy 543 and demanding a response within 10 days.  
  • Administrators met with the family and representatives from AIMNNV at the school January 22, 2021. 
  • Student information was only provided to the family and not any advocacy group. 
  • The report of the investigation was sent to the family January 29, 2021, 10 working days later.  

You can read the full statement from the Carson City School District below:

School administrators have completed the investigation regarding an Eagle Valley Middle School teacher accused of making discriminatory comments during a Social Studies class lesson in November 2020. Formal due process steps have been taken in this case and the teacher has returned to the classroom. Details regarding employee investigations and outcomes will not be provided pursuant to employee privacy practices. The district reiterates its commitment and policy to providing a working and learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment and opposes any statements or actions considered as such. The district is committed to promoting sensitivity training for both staff and students and is working with related agencies and impacted organizations to provide greater understanding and unity of all peoples.   

With the pandemic, school closures, civic unrest, hybrid learning, remote learning from home and all the other stresses of last year, 2020 took its toll in many ways on students and teachers alike. The district grieves deeply with the student, the family, the Native American community and all those impacted in this case.  

Original Story, December 2020: An Eagle Valley Middle School teacher is on administrative leave after making alleged discriminatory comments during a class last month. 

In a message dated November 20th, an eighth grader said that the teacher looked at the student during a lesson and commented, "and for those who are Native American and are booming me, I have some stuff to say. Thats (sic) why your (sic) living on a rezervation (sic) and we took your land, And we will continue to take your land and we will enjoy it".

The student then left the classroom and wrote a statement, which you can read below.

In response, the Carson City School District released this statement to us:

"Administrators were made aware that an Eagle Valley Middle School teacher allegedly made discriminatory comments during a class lesson Friday, Nov. 20. The district is committed to providing a working and learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment and opposes any statements or actions considered as discriminatory. The necessary steps are being taken to fully investigate the allegations. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation." 

 

Carson City School District Releases Details On Investigation Of Eagle Valley Middle School Teacher

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