Published Monday, March 22, 2021 | 2:33 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, March 23, 2021 | 9:21 a.m.
As more schools opened Monday, Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara kicked off a listening tour to get feedback on what the community expects moving forward.
A half dozen people turned out at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, where Jara was joined by Deputy Superintendent Brenda Larsen Mitchell and School Board member Lisa Guzman.
Later, Jara continued the tour online, answering questions during a Facebook livestream event.
One parent, who was not identified, expressed concerns about teachers juggling classroom and online classes. “It should be a completely separate animal," she said at the live session.
She said her daughter has been attending private school and she didn't know if she wanted to enroll her in public school.
"I don't know if I trust the district to not shut down again," she said.
Jara said he couldn't make any promises because he can’t predict what will happen with the virus. "I can't control the science," he said.
Jara pointed out that it is much easier for a single private school to manage in-person instruction than the School District, the fifth-largest in the country.
After a yearlong shutdown because of the pandemic, public elementary schools in Clark County opened March 1 for prekindergarten through third graders. Middle and high schools opened today for select grades.
Under a hybrid model, students are in the classroom two days a week and continuing with distance learning the other three school days.
Starting April 6, schools will be open for students in all grades. Middle and high schools will continue under the hybrid model, and elementary schools will open five days a week.
Another parent who also was not identified, said it was time to for all students to get back to the classroom full-time.
"I have family all over the country and they have been doing full-time for months," the parent said.
During the online session, a parent asked if students who choose distance education can participate in sports and other extracurricular activities on campus.
The answer: Yes. "Getting our kids engaged with school culture is critical," Jara said.
Sports practices and games start next month, although no spectators will be allowed. Marching band, drill team and theater also resume next month, but performances will be livestreamed.
Answering other questions, Jara said the district is working to retain and recruit teachers and is opening two new schools this year, which will help reduce the size of classes.
"We all know we have some of the largest class sizes in the country," he said.
The next live listening session is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Valley High School, 2839 S. Burnham Ave. There will be two more sessions Wednesday at noon at the North Las Vegas City Hall and at 2 p.m. at Las Vegas City Hall.
The virtual listening tour continues at noon Tuesday and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Facebook.com/ClarkCountySchoDistrict.
"Please let your family, your friends, your neighbors know we are going to continue this into the week and maybe into the following week as well," Jara said.
