LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A petition circulating online claims to want change with Valley High School administration less than a week after a fistfight between a substitute teacher and student.
The virtual document on change.org is called “Make a Difference Protect Valley High School.” It went live on Sunday and has gathered more than 300 signatures, with a goal of 500. The petition is intended to go to the Nevada State Senate and Principal Kimberly Perry-Carter.
The organizer of the petition states students started it to raise awareness about concerns on campus. Allegations include “how students get sexually assaulted/harassed by a teacher and students.” The writer said action is never taken and claimed certain clubs are also not property funded.
“I do. I kind of feel like some things can be changed,” a freshman on campus who did not want to be identified said.
The female student said she signed the petition to not only help the students but protect the teachers she considers strong educators.
“I’m not saying that administration has to change at all; it can stay; it’s just that the way they treat situations like this or more situations, that needs to change.”
Jeff Horn, the executive director of the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-Technical Employees, said Principal Perry-Carter is aware of the petition. The union represents principals in the Clark County School District.
READ MORE NEWS 3 |Student-teacher clash over racial slur raises racism concerns
“Our conversation together, she’s actively doing what a good principal does and trying to find students that are impacted by this survey and their issues,” Horn said. “Dialoguing with them and trying to, to dig deeper into the actual concerns.”
He said if there are reports of sexual assault or harassment, those will be taken very seriously.
“Any bullying situation or racially motivated incidents, by state law, have to be investigated immediately,” Horn said. “That would include a sexual assault or sexual harassment that is going on to anything that’s reported, by law, has to be investigated.”
The petition does not name a specific incident, but there are accusations circulating on social media.
The start of the petition comes a few days after a brawl between a substitute teacher and student in a hallway. Clark County School District Police arrested and booked Re’Kwon Smith, 27, into the Clark County Detention Center on a felony account of battery with substantial bodily harm. Las Vegas Justice Court records show he is also facing misdemeanor charges of threat to a student causing fear, interference with a student attending school, and assault on school property.
Cell phone video shared on social media shows a man and a male student in a brawl. A man appears to punch the student several times and slap the student across the face once he is on the ground. Sources tell News 3 it started after the student used racial slurs towards Smith.
News 3 reached out to CCSD about the petition but did not receive an immediate response.
Students are planning a peaceful protest outside of the Valley High School campus Wednesday afternoon.
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