Last week, Carson City School District trustees approved a new mandatory disclosure requirement for teachers involving students’ “social or gender transitions” on Aug. 11, with no discussion before the vote.
Since the policy language was first added in between the first and originally slated second reading, Carson Now has reached out repeatedly for clarification on application, what laws Board Counsel Ryan Russell was citing when he asserted the changes were mandated by law, and the fact that the inclusion without public notice appears to be a violation of Nevada Open Meeting Law.
However, the district has refused to answer all requests for comment.
Despite Russell telling trustees, in response to concerns raised by Trustee Michelle Pedersen during the July 28 meeting, he would work on editing the policy’s language, no changes were made.
Trustees asked no questions and held no discussions, and the policy was approved by a 4-1 vote with Pedersen voting against and two trustees absent.
What the policy means for students, staff and families
Under the new language, communication between schools and families includes “complete transparency” regarding students’ mental, physical, emotional and social health.
“School personnel shall not withhold, conceal, or forgo sharing information with parents regarding changes to a student’s health, well-being, or social/gender transition at school,” the policy states, with an exception for specific safety concerns requiring immediate mandatory child abuse reporting.
The inclusion of “forgo sharing” makes the provision broader than simply prohibiting staff from concealing information or refusing to answer when a parent asks. By also barring staff from forgoing disclosure, the policy directs employees not to choose to leave the information unshared.
However, the policy does not define what constitutes a social or gender transition, what actions trigger disclosure or when parents must be notified.
The provision received substantially more discussion when trustees considered it July 28.
July’s discussions
Trustee Pedersen questioned what it could mean for students who confide in trusted school employees, particularly those who could face rejection or abuse at home.
Pedersen said at the time she interpreted the policy as not requiring staff to initiate a conversation with parents, but requiring disclosure if a parent approached the school and asked.
Russell said legally “regardless of what the policy says our staff cannot withhold that information if they’re asked.” When asked by Carson Now what law he was citing, Russell has offered no response.
He said the only exception would involve situations in which disclosure could result in abuse or neglect, at which point staff would be required to work with CPS to disclose that information to parents. It should be noted, however, this is not reflected in the written policy itself.
Trustee Richard Varner supported retaining the provision, saying he believed it addressed situations in which school districts had failed to inform parents about matters involving their children.
“I’m not really upset about this language,” Varner said. “I think we should keep it.”
When Policy 106 returned for final approval Aug. 11, Board President Molly Walt asked whether trustees had any questions, comments or discussion.
None were raised.
The only correction discussed was adding a hyphen to “decision-making” elsewhere in the policy. Trustees then voted to approve Policies 104, 106 and 107 together.
The motion passed with four trustees voting in favor. Pedersen cast the sole opposing vote, while two trustees were absent.
The policy is now in place as Carson City students return for the 2026-27 school year Tuesday.
