Is The "Land Acknowledgement" Real At The Washoe County School Board?

The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools ENDORSES James Phoenix for the appointment to the Washoe County School Board by the trustees on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The committee made this endorsement after reviewing all the applicants, interviewing 3 on the Education Express Show, listening to all of the applicants speak on January 7 at the public meeting, and speaking directly with Mr. Phoenix.

James Phoenix is the MOST qualified and experienced applicant for the position of Washoe County School Board Trustee, District C in Sparks and North Reno. Mr. Phoenix was the Chair of the Pyramid Lake Jr/Sr High School Board of Education, and also a Tribal Chair of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council. He was a Reno Police Officer for 25 years and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nevada Army National Guard. He grew up in District C, attend schools in the Washoe County School District, and has a Masters Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.

James Phoenix is something more though, he represents a commitment the Washoe County School Board has already made. Since July of 2023, President Elizabeth Smith has read into the public record the school district’s "Land Acknowledgment". The "Land Acknowledgement" is the "result of a combined effort between WCSD's Native American Culture and Education Team as well as the elders of local tribes", it is still unclear who the actual author of the "Land Acknowledgement" is, that information has been requested by The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools. At the time, Arlan Melendez, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony's Tribal Chairman said, "It's a starting point to understand the histories and realities of indigenous people. This land acknowledgement signals respect for our tribal nations and commitment to change for indigenous inclusion". This is the same Arlan Melendez listed as a reference on the resume' of James Phoenix.

The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools ENDORSES James Phoenix for the appointment to the Washoe County School Board by the trustees on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. He is the right person, in the right place, at the right time, and those with the responsibility of selection must be able to see that.

Watch the video from the January 7 meeting here.

Read the official Press Release here.

The Education Express Show is every Monday night at 7PM on Zoom, before Washoe County School Board meetings. Know what the Washoe County School Board is going to do, before they do it. You will get a deeper understanding of agenda items, budgets, curriculum, special guests, and YOU. Each show you will have the opportunity to speak on any issue you think might be important.

You can reserve your seat on the Education Express Show here.

You've heard about the t-shirt, you've seen it around. NOW you can have this rare collectable item! You can get this rare collectible by helping the committee, just click here.

You can join The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools, there are a variety of ways you can help, click here to become a member!

Join the Committee To Fix Washoe Schools FREE newsletter, The Education Express! This is the best way to stay informed about what is happening on the Washoe County School Board and with your trustee who represnts you.

It also really help if you could subscribe to the Committee To Fix Washoe Schools YouTube Channel, and occassionally give videos a thumbs up, or even comment.

The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools has been the leader in a number of issues at the Washoe County School Board for over 10 years:

• Advocates for a transparent superintendent selection process - 2024, 2019, 2010, 2009.

• Ongoing superintendent accountability.

• Unconstitutional Process Of AB46 For School Construction.

• Abolishment of "Scream Roooms" in Washoe County schools.

• Advocates for good, strong education policies at the state and school board level.

• Advocates for the best candidates for the Washoe County School Board.

• Trustworthy source of verified information.

  
  With your support, The Committee To Fix Washoe School can continue to do more of this research and work in the most efficient and effective way possible, so you don't have to. Thank you!

The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools PAC is how the committee advocates in the media for issues and candidates, on radio, television, and the internet.

To help the advocacy effort of The Committee To Fix Washoe Schools PAC, please click here.

You can also really help by following, watching, commenting, and throwing a thumbs up to the Fix Washoe Schools YouTube channel, as this helps the committee's ongoing efforts each month.

Follow the conversation of the Fix Washoe Schools Committee on X.