Lombardo Demands Legislative Action on School Violence

April 20, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, Republican gubernatorial candidate and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo condemned the recent rise in school violence and called for swift action next legislative session. Lombardo’s comments come after today’s report of a teacher assaulted by a student at Foothill High School, which follows the horrific attack on an Eldorado High School teacher just two weeks ago. 

“In my first session as governor, it will be my top legislative priority to address the school violence crisis in our education system,” said Sheriff Lombardo. “In order to deter those who wish to pursue violence at our schools, it is imperative that the Legislature immediately repeals the changes made to NRS 392.466 through AB 168 (2019) and expands the statute to include mandatory suspensions and expulsions for any pupil who commits a battery against another student.”

Passed in 2019, AB 168 amended NRS 392.466 to remove mandatory suspensions and expulsions for any pupil who commits a battery which results in the bodily injury of an employee of the school or who sells or distributes any controlled substance while on the premises of any public school. 

“Repealing the changes to NRS 392.466 is a critical first step in securing our schools, but after those changes are repealed, extensive work remains in reforming school safety measures to keep students, staff, and faculty safe. 

“As the Nevada State Legislature takes the next steps to address school safety, legislators must revisit restorative justice measures and evaluate their success in deterring behavioral issues in our school systems to date. Upon review, legislators must diligently work to address the identified issues within the existing legislation and consult with law enforcement for guidance on critical school safety issues.

“Most importantly, I’m calling on the Legislature to enact more severe penalties for anyone – parents, students, teachers, and staff included – who commits a violent act on school grounds. Our state must maintain a culture that has zero-tolerance for school violence, so that we keep all individuals safe at school.

“Families already have enough to worry about – they shouldn’t be afraid every morning when their kids leave for school. Parents deserve to know that their children will return home safely from school each day, and teachers deserve to feel safe and secure in their own classroom.”

Nevadans can learn more about Joe at www.joelombardofornv.com and by following him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.