CCSD cancels ‘Java with Jara’ event in Henderson due to union protests

The Clark County School District canceled a “Java with Jara” community event Wednesday in Henderson in the wake of protests by the teachers union.

About 200 Clark County Education Association members protested Tuesday outside the Sambalatte coffee shop on South Rampart Boulevard in northwest Las Vegas. Inside, Superintendent Jesus Jara led the first in a series of community meetings.

Union officials said they were planning to protest at every Java with Jara event as the district and teachers union remain embroiled in contentious contract negotiations.

A Java with Jara event was scheduled Wednesday at Ramanos Mercato Italiano in Henderson’s Inspirada community.

But two hours before the event was slated to begin, the district said in a statement that due to “ongoing bad faith, bullying tactics of harassment, and intimidation by CCEA leadership,” the property owners and business “respectfully requested that the event not be held there.”

The district said it will contact those who signed up to attend the event and the meeting will be rescheduled.

It also said Jara will continue meeting with community members and families to hear their feedback on the education of children.

“The ongoing tactics by the leadership of the CCEA, the teacher’s union, are causing businesses eager to host these conversations to have to worry about interruptions to their business operations,” the district said. “These underhanded tactics do not get teachers the raises they deserve but only serve to alienate members of the community wishing to dialogue with the superintendent while supporting local businesses.”

CCEA Executive Director John Vellardita said Wednesday that educators still planned to gather outside near the venue in Henderson “wherever permissible” for a short duration and to talk to community members who may be there.

If there are more Java with Jara meetings that remain scheduled, educators will continue to protest at those sites, he said. “Wherever he goes, we’ll be there.”

It’s important for the community to see how angry and frustrated educators are with the superintendent, Vellardita said.

The district’s statement about the union’s behavior is ludicrous, he said, noting anyone in this country has a right to protest and educators were “very peaceful and orderly” during Tuesday’s protest.

“It’s very clear to us that Superintendent Jara is starting to feel the pressure and the anger of these educators,” he said.

The next Java with Jara meetings will be held July 25 in Moapa, July 26 in North Las Vegas and July 27 in Las Vegas.

Contact Julie Wootton-Greener at jgreener@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2921. Follow @julieswootton on Twitter.