New data required by Nevada’s 2025 AB 420 shows that Clark County School District police used force in 11 incidents involving 21 people during the 2025–26 school year. Eighteen of those people were Black, two were Hispanic, and one was white. Twelve were under age 18.

AB 420 was passed after students, families, and advocates raised concerns about pepper spray and other uses of force in schools. While the final law did not prohibit pepper spray, it required school districts to begin publicly reporting use-of-force data.

This first report is an important step toward transparency—but it also leaves critical questions unanswered. The data does not link each incident to the person’s age, race, school, or type of force used. Nevada must be able to evaluate whether force is being used fairly, safely, and only when truly necessary.

Every student deserves a school community rooted in dignity, belonging, care, and opportunity. Public reporting should lead to stronger accountability, meaningful community oversight, racial-equity review, and greater investment in prevention: counselors, restorative practices, mental-health supports, and de-escalation.

Transparency is a beginning. Nevada must now use this information to ensure our schools are places where every student can learn and thrive.

Read More from The Nevada Independent and Nevada Current.