During a recent meeting of the Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees, significant discussions centered around community engagement in the search for a new superintendent. Board members emphasized the importance of accommodating community input through various channels, including surveys and focus groups.

Trustee Cabazos raised concerns regarding the timeline of the superintendent search, noting that some entities reported rescheduled dates extending beyond the planned September 20 deadline. This prompted a request for clarification from the search firm to ensure all dates remain valid.

The board reported an impressive response to an online survey launched on August 13, with over 12,000 respondents, including parents, students, and community members. The data collected is expected to inform the leadership profile for the new superintendent. Focus groups, which are crucial for gathering qualitative insights, have also seen high registration numbers, with recommendations to add more virtual sessions to accommodate the overwhelming interest.

Kenny Belknap, a social studies teacher and vice president of the Clark County Education Association, provided public comment, stressing the critical nature of selecting the right leader for the district. He highlighted the need for accountability and improvement in student outcomes, warning that failure to address these issues could lead to further dissatisfaction among parents and lawmakers.

The board discussed the logistics of the focus groups, emphasizing the need for smaller sessions to ensure all voices are heard. Current registrations indicate that some virtual groups may exceed 100 participants, which could hinder meaningful dialogue. Plans to limit virtual group sizes to around 30-35 participants were proposed to enhance engagement.

Trustee Zamora raised concerns about communication, particularly regarding the translation of materials for non-English speaking community members. The board acknowledged the need for bilingual content and discussed the possibility of sending reminder emails to ensure broader participation.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to fostering community involvement in the superintendent search process, with a focus on transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness to stakeholder feedback. The next steps include finalizing the leadership profile by September 26, incorporating insights from both the survey and focus groups.