Local School Troubles Before Winter Break
Teachers Point to Overcrowding, Understaffing for Special Programs and Student Violence
Teachers are hoping for a better 2023 with a more responsive Washoe County School District.
As we reported exclusively on Our Town Reno channels, a teacher explained to us in detail why a massive sick out was organized at Dilworth Middle School last week: https://www.ourtownreno.com/our-stories-1/2022/12/16/teacher-cites-lack-of-security-support-recent-attack-for-sick-out-at-dilworth-middle-school
Our detailed article prompted other teachers to reach out and complain of similar situations at other local schools.
Our source from Dilworth gave us updates on what happened this week, including over a dozen district employees showing up to the Sparks middle school Monday, followed by a meeting there with a family organization on Tuesday.
Our source said the district has agreed to reduce the size of the so-called sip program for students with extra needs at Dilworth, where the ratio of students to the teacher was off, while the teacher’s union is trying to figure out how to modify the children in transition program for kids with unstable housing, so that they are treated more like their classmates in terms of disciplinary actions.
The teacher called the situation “pretty tense” and added “everyone is really looking forward” to the break.
This seems to be the first major test facing recently hired superintendent Susan Enfield who was given a $310,000 per year four-year contract, with an added vehicle expense allowance of $800 per month.
Our Reporting Highlights This Week
Above is an automated license plate reader at the intersection of N. Virginia and 15th St. as part of a citizen’s forum contribution by Michael Rubio on local surveillance by our law enforcement: https://www.ourtownreno.com/our-citizens-forum/2022/11/13/alpr-surveillance-cameras-on-renos-streets-what-are-these-and-whats-their-purpose
As part of our #keeprenorad section, we featured Alyssa Bryant who is leading a new trend in Reno teaching chair yoga: https://www.ourtownreno.com/keeping-reno-rad/2022/11/30/alyce-bryant-introduces-reno-to-chair-yoga-at-the-buddhist-center
Our podcast this week is with Donna Walden from GreenUp! helping local businesses get greener in their practices: https://ourtownreno.simplecast.com/episodes/green-up-helping-local-businesses-become-more-environmentally-friendly