Vegas schools task force created to craft anti-racism policy

LAS VEGAS (AP) — School officials in Las Vegas have assigned assigning a task force to craft an anti-racism policy by next January, amid calls from parents to follow a new state anti-discrimination law and efforts by officials to avoid a culture wars flashpoint.

Critical race theory is not taught in the Clark County School District, Superintendent Jesus Jara told school trustees on Thursday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

The theory is a framework developed by legal scholars in the 1970s and 1980s that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in U.S. institutions and serves to maintain the dominance of whites in society. Several state legislatures have enacted bills preventing the theory from being taught.

Thursday's school board discussion follows passage this year by the Nevada Legislature of a law including racial discrimination in existing laws related to bullying.

Critical race theory won't be part of the discussion or included professional learning opportunities, Assistant Superintendent Sam Scavella said told the board.

District equity and diversity education chief Brandon Moeller said the 38-member superintendent’s external task force is expected to produce a draft of a district policy in October.

Officials said the panel makeup is 39% Black, 34% Hispanic, 16% white, 8% Asian American and 3% Native American.