In the wake of numerous issues, such as chronic absenteeism, a cyberattack, and heated negotiations over wages with teachers, the Clark County School District is now facing more intense scrutiny–this time at the federal level. On the 21st of November, 2023, CCSD was placed under investigation by the US Department of Education in response to alleged civil rights violations. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights added the district to a list of educational institutions that could have possibly engaged in “discrimination involving shared ancestry” after several incidents of islamophobia and antisemitism were reported in schools around the valley.  

“Hate has no place in our schools, period. When students are targeted because they are–or are perceived to be–Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, or any other ethnicity or shared ancestry, schools must act to ensure [they are] safe and inclusive educational environments where everyone is free to learn,” said Miguel Cardona, the Secretary of Education under the Biden Administration. Cardona, who toured Las Vegas schools following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, stated that schools have a legal obligation to address discrimination and could lose federal funding if they fail to do so. As outlined in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin is strictly prohibited at the federal level.

The investigation comes amid rising global tensions, exacerbated by the current war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas (the Palestinian political and military organization that governs Gaza). While the war has claimed nearly 20,000 lives in the Middle East, most of whom are non-combatant civilians, the reverberations are undoubtedly being felt here in the US. In an interview with CNN, Cardona stated, “We want to promote free speech…students should be able to express different opinions. But when it comes to antisemitism or Islamophobia, that has no place on our college campuses or in our schools.”

Recently, and on college campuses especially, students have been protesting in favor of both the Palestinian and Israeli causes. With demonstrators at odds with one another, these gatherings can often turn heated and violent.

Either way, both numerous teachers and students are disappointed in the district for making the list of institutions that have violated Title VI. 

“It’s not anything I would pass the district,” said a high-school social sciences teacher who requested to remain anonymous.  “CCSD has let me down time and time again when I address my personal concerns, and I find it fitting they’d do the same when faced with such a public and contentious issue. They don’t want outcry.” 

A notable feeling of a lack of concern by the district is a sentiment that many constituents share. 

“People have always made jokes about my Middle Eastern background because they look at me and automatically perceive me to be something,” said Spring Valley senior George Baharian, “While they’ve always been lighthearted and nothing serious, I wouldn’t even bother to say something because I know that with how the district is, it wouldn’t even go anywhere.”

Additionally, it is important to note that the fact that CCSD has been placed under investigation does not mean that the Office of Civil Rights has made a decision on the case–simply that an official inquiry has been opened and is ongoing. Furthermore, it has not been explicitly stated in which manner the Clark County School District has violated Title VI. The Department of Education has promised to update the list of institutions under investigation (which even includes universities like Harvard at the moment) weekly. 

In any case, the investigation serves as a relevant reminder to students, parents, and staff of the efforts required to create an inclusive educational environment and local community. Schools serve as microcosms of a wider, diverse society, reflecting larger national issues within a confined environment. 

Currently, CCSD has failed to comment to local media, including the Las Vegas Review-Journal and The Nevada Globe, regarding the active discrimination investigation.