On May 26, 2025, Judge Thomas W. Gregory delivered a decisive ruling in the Ninth Judicial District Court, affirming that Douglas County School District (DCSD) must indemnify its trustees—Susan Jansen, David Burns, Katherine Dickerson, and Doug Englekirk. This landmark decision in Case No. 2023-CV-00162 exposes a politically motivated lawsuit for what it was: a brazen attempt to undermine elected officials and drain resources from Nevada’s children. Nevadans should celebrate this victory, not just for the trustees, but for the principle that public servants acting in good faith deserve protection from frivolous lawfare.

The court’s order, issued after a joint request by DCSD and the trustees, dismantles the petitioners’ claims. Ricky Dean Miller, Martin Swisher Jr., Joseph Girdner, and Robbe Lehmann, described by Joey Gilbert Law as disgruntled election losers, bombarded the district with baseless public records requests and alleged Open Meeting Law violations. Their goal? To paralyze the school board and reverse the will of voters. Judge Gregory’s ruling is clear: the trustees acted within their public duties, relied on legal counsel, and showed no bad faith. DCSD’s failure to contest indemnification further underscores the petitioners’ case as a sham.

Why should Nevadans care? This ruling is a firewall against weaponized litigation that siphons funds from classrooms. The petitioners’ tactics forced DCSD to incur over $500,000 in legal fees, money that could have bought textbooks, funded extracurriculars, or hired teachers. Gilbert, hired to oust a controversial superintendent, restore original bylaws altered during the pandemic, and launch a special counsel investigation, delivered results. The district now boasts a capable superintendent, Frankie Alvarado, and a stabilized board. This victory ensures that elected officials can focus on educating kids, not dodging political vendettas.

The court documents reveal a unified defense. From the case’s inception, Joey Gilbert Law represented both DCSD and the trustees, filing a joint answer and presenting a cohesive front. The trustees testified to following legal guidance, a fact uncontradicted by DCSD. The petitioners’ claims crumbled under scrutiny, with the court noting DCSD never argued the trustees failed to cooperate in good faith. Under NRS 41.0349, indemnification is the default absent exceptions like bad faith, none of which applied here. The judge’s order, served May 27, 2025, to attorneys Richard J. McGuffin, Frank C. Gilmore, and J. Robert Smith, closes this chapter with finality.

This ruling resonates beyond Douglas County. Across Nevada, school boards face similar pressures from activists wielding lawsuits to subvert democratic outcomes. The decision strengthens the legal shield for public officials, ensuring they can serve without fear of financial ruin. It’s a reminder that Nevada’s courts won’t reward sore losers who prioritize power over pupils.

Gilbert’s statement cuts through the noise. He calls the lawsuit what it was: a stunt by those who lost control of the school board and sought to reclaim it through the courts. His firm’s fees, unfairly maligned by media, were justified by the onslaught of “politically motivated nonsense” they faced. The results—a reformed district, a new superintendent, and uncovered issues addressed—prove the investment worthwhile.

Nevadans should take heart. This ruling reaffirms that justice prevails when public servants stand firm. It’s a call to protect our schools from those who’d rather litigate than educate. Douglas County’s trustees, vindicated, can now focus on what matters: our kids’ future.

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