District Expands Safety Efforts Following Joint Statement on School Violence

Churchill County School District Superintendent Derild Parsons says the district is building on last week’s joint statement from local law enforcement and education leaders with continued efforts to strengthen school safety, crisis response, and student support systems.

Parsons told trustees during the October 22 School Board meeting that the district is developing coordinated practices among the Sheriff’s Office, Fallon Police Department, and the county’s behavioral health team. The goal, he said, is to create an integrated approach to prevention and intervention. “This is the first time we’ve ever seen anything close to a practice like that,” he said. 

As part of that effort, the district has received a letter of support from the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office to pursue a school safety grant in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Education’s School Safety Office. The proposal focuses on training, emergency coordination, and trauma-informed response.

Parsons also noted that Senate Bill 571 earmarks $380,000 statewide for local education agency operational efficiency grants, and the district hopes to leverage this funding and other sources to enhance both safety and internal systems.

In a follow-up email, Parsons said he believes it’s important for the public to understand the scope of the district’s ongoing work.

“It is often perceived that we don't do much in regard to bullying and school violence,” he wrote. “But the reality is that a great deal of resources are utilized in keeping our students safe both physically and emotionally.”

Parsons said plans are underway for the district’s School Resource Officer and administrators to visit classrooms and talk with students about Nevada laws related to school violence and consequences.

“It is notable that once students turn 11, they can be suspended or expelled from school,” Parsons said. “Although we can, we do our best to avoid this, but we also can't condone violent acts recurring in our schools with the same students.”

The district is also developing new informational materials for teachers and parents to help educate students about behavioral expectations and legal accountability.

“Our work with the Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, and community agencies is ongoing,” Parsons said. “It’s a shared commitment to safety and to keeping our schools places where learning and respect come first.”

The Fallon Post will continue this series next week with a look at how local agencies and community partners are supporting prevention, intervention, and mental health programs in schools.