Teachers often discuss issues regarding threats, abuse, and harassment. Furthermore, recent allegations of the death of a teacher at the hands of a student have raised concerns about teacher safety. NRS 388.132 requires schools to provide a safe and respectful learning environment. This applies as much to students as it does to teachers. There are statutes, school district polices, and contract language to protect teachers from these types of actions.

Article 12 of the Negotiated Agreement addresses teacher protection from assaults and/or battery. Pursuant to Article 12-2, when a teacher becomes aware of a potential danger, the teacher should notify their immediate supervisor who is required to investigate and take appropriate action. If a teacher is assaulted during the work day, Article 12-3 requires that the teacher file a written report. The teacher can file a criminal complaint against the adult or juvenile, and the school or department “shall assist and cooperate with the assaulted employee in making his/her criminal complaint.” Article 12-8.

Significantly, NRS 392.850 requires the school district to inform each employee of the district, who may have consistent contact with a student who within the last 3 years has caused or attempted to cause serious bodily injury to any person. Thus, teachers must be informed if one of their students has caused serious bodily injury to another student, teacher, bus driver, etc. within the last three years. This information is important for obvious reasons.

CCSD Policy 5137 provides that teachers have the right to work in an environment free from harassment, abuse, and threats from students and other school personnel. Policy 5137 makes it clear that harassment and intimidation are prohibited in public schools and that any employee who witnesses, overhears, or receives a report of harassment or intimidation shall report it to the school principal. If the school principal is the offender, then the report should be made directly to the affirmative action officer or superintendent.

In a school setting, principals have the ability to limit parent interactions in order to protect the employee. For example, the principal can require that all communications go through administration in order to protect the teacher and can even trespass parents from the school. Although this is mostly done in serious cases, there are less intrusive measures that principals can take.

The collective bargaining agreement, Nevada law, and CCSD policies are written in such a way to foster teacher safety. There are mechanisms in place to inform the teacher of potentially dangerous students. If you feel that a certain student may have prior issues, ask your immediate supervisor. Remember, teachers can file criminal complaints against students, parents, visitors, etc. Practically speaking, one should try and have the immediate supervisor resolve the issue, unless the act is so egregious that additional steps should be taken. If you have doubt as to what actions should be taken, call CCEA.