LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — More than 280,000 Clark County School District students return to class Monday, and several changes are in effect before they ever reach the classroom.
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New district-wide start times
For the first time, CCSD is implementing new district-wide start times. Middle school students begin at 7:30 a.m., high school students at 8:30 a.m., and elementary students at 9:15 a.m.
Stricter school zone enforcement
Drivers should expect increased enforcement in school zones this year. A new Nevada law that took effect July 1 doubles penalties for traffic violations in school zones.
A first offense now carries a fine of $250 to $1,000. A second offense can cost drivers $1,000 to $1,500.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelly Berkley said dangerous driving in school zones is putting children at risk.
“We found that our older kids that are going to school have the same challenges that elementary and middle school kids have,” Berkley said. “And the challenge is that people are driving very, very dangerously in school zones. And that is putting our kids at risk.”
CCSD Police Traffic Lt. Michael Campbell said enforcement will begin immediately.
“We’ll be citing. We’ll be zero tolerance right from the first day of school,” Campbell said.
CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert said the district needs drivers to comply.
“Quite frankly, we need people to slow down around our schools,” Ebert said. “People need to be aware of the rules of the road. They need to slow down and we wouldn’t need more officers.”
New crossing guards at high schools
Las Vegas is adding crossing guards at five additional high schools: Bonanza, Centennial, Desert Pines, Shadow Ridge and Western. Guards were already in place at Arbor View, Cimarron-Memorial, Clark and Palo Verde, as well as all elementary and middle schools.
“And so all of us as a community working together, I think is moving in the right direction,” Ebert said.
Cell phone pouches required in grades 6–12
A new state law now requires school districts to establish rules and consequences for student cell phone use. Under CCSD policy, students in grades 6 through 12 must keep their phones in signal-blocking pouches during the school day.
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