OPINION: PRESS RELEASE – WCSD Loses Appeal on Public Transparency Case

“Order Denying Motion to Alter or Amend Order Granting Amended Petition” (Dated 2-13-25 Washoe  2^nd Judicial District Court, Judge Steinheimer)

Summary: In mid-2023, WCSD Trustee Jeff Church requested copies of applications for a WCSD Committee that he was reviewing at a public meeting. WCSD had provided only their chosen candidate refusing to release others. That August, he filed a Writ under Nevada’s Public Document Law. The District refused, and after a lengthy court hearing and process, Church prevailed on behalf of the public’s right to know. The District filed the above-listed appeal, and now a second judge has supported the public’s right to know. Church looks forward to the release of related documents as well as attorney fees but is sceptical if they’ll comply or waste more tax dollars on this.

Church issued the following on this matter and the overall issue of WCSD, transparency, as well as how it may relate to various Federal Directives on DEI, Gender issues and ICE:

No elected official nor citizen should have to endure a 20-month ordeal at their expense to obtain documents that the public has a right to.  I run a website, WatchDogJeff.com and for many years have fought for transparency and drawing attention to the failures at WCSD that place us near the bottom annually. I was elected and served as a Trustee from January 2021 to January 2025 and was the subject of many conflicts with WCSD administration, including a March 2024 90-minute public attack by WCSD Legal Counsel Rombardo calling my requests frivolous and more. I have no doubt they might further waste taxpayer money on another appeal rather than show what they are hiding in the court-ordered documents.

The timing of the order is important as on a small scale it mirrors what is happening nationally. Under elected President Trump’s orders and DOGE, various opponents seek court actions and otherwise seek to avoid shining the light on Waste, Fraud and Abuse. WCSD has a long history of actions that obstruct public opinions and transparency. I am not done and have additional plans for open and transparency at WCSD. We need a DOGE or Inspector General at WCSD.

We need the Governor to act on our failed educational system.

The media should- but won’t- look into the relationship between the law firm, of McDonald Carano and WCSD. Look at how much they billed WCSD and donations made and others they represented.

The media needs to look into WCSD’s DEI training, its 10 employee DEI program (and use of ESSR Covid Relief Funds for such), it’s mandatory DEI training and so much more. Likewise, its policy on transgender issues not only in sports but lodging, etc. while prohibiting parental notification. Then I suggest you look into WCSD policy and guidance on ICE and cooperation with ICE in criminal investigations.

I intend to continue being a Watchdog and these policies may jeopardize students from receiving millions of dollars in federal or state grants. Similar to the above, the public needs to know what grants WCSD receives and the criteria on each.

Jeff Church

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