School board adds 3 to Family Life committee

The Carson City School Board on Tuesday interviewed candidates and filled three of four vacancies on the Family Life Advisory Committee.

There were no applicants for the religious representative position, said Cheryl Macy, the district’s director of equity in curriculum and instruction.

Board members approved current parent member Kyndra Jones, Carson High School library media specialist Ananda Campbell as teacher representative and graduate student Amanda Beer as counselor representative.

Traditionally, the committee is comprised of five parents of children in Carson City schools, four representatives from the areas of medicine or nursing, counseling, religion and teaching, and a student. The vacancies were announced in August.

On Tuesday, Trustee Molly Walt asked candidates why they were interested in the committee.

Jones has served as a parent representative since 2019 and with the Nevada Department of Public Safety as a case investigator and said her experience with researching criminal histories through the sex offender registry made it important to her to be involved.

“Having more stuff around consent is where it’s more important to starting education for kids. I believe this committee is important to be able to have the viewpoints of the community,” Jones said. “I know there’s a spectrum (of opinions) from the conservatives and liberals and finding something in the middle for everyone.”

Danielle Martin, who has three children in the district, also applied for the position.

“I was able to see what the kids already knew and realized there was a very big lag in the percentage of kids who are afraid to talk to their parents or who don’t talk to them,” she said. “To me it’s important to have that information for them.”

Applicant Jennifer Brewster, a mother of five students, said she formerly worked in the high school assisting students on the topic of sexual health.

“I think it’s hugely important in what the kids are learning,” Brewster said. “They have to know how to take care of themselves.”

The trustees encouraged Martin and Brewster to remain involved.

The board received one application each for the counseling and teaching positions.

Beer is studying for her master’s of marriage and family therapy degree from National University. It was not her first time applying to the FLC, she said, and she remained interested in engaging with the community.

Asked how to make others comfortable about the committee, Beer said helping children to know they can approach a trusted adult about their needs would be key.

“They need to feel comfortable to come here and approach us and talk about their needs in a comfortable atmosphere,” Beer said. “I had read previously about information being transparent, and I feel if the parent is interested and engaged, we can come to a mutual understanding.”

Campbell talked about educator involvement and addressed curriculum while speaking as a parent herself.

“I think if a parent comes to us as educators with concerns about curriculum, I thank them, number one, for being involved,” she said. “As a parent, I had to make the decision whether or not I wanted my student to participate (in sexual health discussions). … We want to encourage (families) to have these conversations at home and know parents make the final decision.”

“Thank you for being interested,” Trustee Joe Cacioppo told applicants. “It’s tough. It’s so important to get input from all our parents and stakeholders. It’s important to give kids accurate information. It’s tough even for adults to figure out where to get accurate information.”

For information about the Family Life Advisory Committee, visit www.carsoncityschools.com.