Two new trustees joining the Clark County School Board are bringing conservative priorities to the district, raising the prospect of future tension over culture war issues. Lydia Dominguez and Lorena Biassotti, former members of the Moms for Liberty Clark County chapter, won seats in a Republican wave that also helped deliver Nevada to President-elect Donald Trump.
Dominguez and Biassotti campaigned on concerns about library books addressing gender and sexuality and opposed district policies supporting students with diverse gender identities. While they have since left Moms for Liberty, they remain aligned with the group’s agenda. Dominguez, representing District B, said her focus will include addressing the district’s budget and revisiting the decision not to repair Mount Charleston’s Earl B. Lundy Elementary School. Biassotti, representing District E, did not respond to interview requests.
Outgoing board member Linda Cavazos said collaboration is possible if the new trustees prioritize student achievement and safety. Trustee Emily Stevens, who rejected Moms for Liberty’s endorsement, and other board members have called for focusing on improving literacy and educational outcomes over divisive cultural debates.
A revised book challenge policy under consideration would clarify how library content is reviewed. Critics, including Cavazos, have warned against policies that compromise students’ access to educational materials.
Dominguez said she hopes to work across political lines while maintaining her stance on protecting girls’ spaces in schools and auditing library content. “This is about protecting children,” she said.
This article is based on reporting by The Nevada Independent.