A survey meant to measure the perception of leadership in Las Vegas valley public schools found that trustees' recent behavior "had a significant negative effect" on several aspects of the school district.
The Clark County School District released the results of a "culture and climate study report" that it commissioned from the firm Public Consulting Group, or PCG.
The group said it conducted 34 interviews with members of the Board of School Trustees and executive cabinet, 39 focus groups and more than 11,000 employee surveys.
In its conclusion, PCG said the data collected across the district at all levels were consistent, and trustees' conduct between 2020 and 2022 had a negative impact on staff. The report pointed to long, heated meetings and even comments from board members on social media that "fanned the fear of physical altercations and other threats."
Action has to be taken, starting with the board and the way meetings are organized, PCG concluded. The report calls for more transparency and focus in board meetings, stronger two-way communication with staff, focus on outcome-driven decisions and accountability for results.
"While there are many external constraints - including funding gaps, legislative mandates, and deep community issues - the Board of Trustees needs to marshal the will and resources to take the lead on areas that they can control," PCG wrote in its conclusion.
Evelyn Garcia Morales, president of the Board of Trustees, said the results were not a surprise.
"We know we have room to improve, and this benchmark study allows us to move forward in the best interest of our students, employees, and community," she said in a statement.