An Eagle Valley Middle School teacher has returned to work after being investigated by the Carson City School District.
“Although the accused teacher’s educational objective was appropriate, the method/approach was inappropriate and constituted an error in judgment,” the school district’s investigation found.
The investigation took place after an incident on Nov. 20 that included alleged discriminatory remarks made during class.
“Formal due process steps have been taken in this case and the teacher has returned to the classroom,” the district said in a press release.
The investigation also included interviews and statements from other students in the classroom from Nov. 20.
The incident prompted a peaceful demonstration by about 25 members of Native American community in December at the school district’s administrative office at 1402 W. King St.
According to the district’s release, events initially began in the Eagle Valley social studies class when the student took offense from remarks made from the teacher. The release indicates no previous complaints exist on record having been made by the teacher prior to this date.
The student’s family then asked verbally for the student to be removed from the class, and the district transferred the student to another class, citing district policy. While the district offered to meet with the family in person, they declined, and the district supported their decision to keep the student at home for the remainder of the fall semester for remote learning through Jan. 15.
The teacher had been placed on administrative leave as of Nov. 23 and submitted a letter of apology, detailing an explanation of the lesson to the student and family on Nov. 24.
In December, the teacher met with a district site administrator to discuss the incident. The teacher was allowed to resume teaching Jan. 4, while the family made no further requests until Jan. 14 at which time they made their first written complaint and demanded a response within 10 days.
The release goes on to state administrators met with the family and American Indian Movement of Northern Nevada representatives at the school on Jan. 22. The report of the investigation was sent to the family on Jan. 29.
