The Las Vegas School District recently rehired former principal Darling Delgado to a higher management position following a controversial retirement. This decision comes less than two years after the tragic death of a 17-year-old classmate, Jonathan Lewis Jr., who was fatally assaulted.
Delgado was appointed as the assistant superintendent of the Clark County School District in July. During her time as principal at Rancho High School, she oversaw a situation where Lewis Jr. was attacked in November 2023 by a group of teens over a dispute regarding stolen headphones.
The violent incident occurred in a back alley near the school and was witnessed by around 20 people, many of whom recorded the attack and shared the footage online. Lewis Jr. suffered severe injuries and passed away a few days after the incident.
In the wake of the attack, Delgado faced criticism for how staff handled previous complaints made by Lewis regarding threats from his attacker. She resigned in January 2024, about two months after the incident, citing a desire to spend more time with family. However, just six months later, she was appointed director at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Las Vegas.
In a related legal battle, nine teenagers were arrested and charged with murder but were tried in juvenile court due to their ages, ranging from 13 to 17 at the time of the incident. The court confirmed the charges, though specifics were kept sealed.
Lewis’ father subsequently filed a lawsuit against the school district, asserting that officials ignored warning signs leading up to the tragic event. He expressed concerns about how his son had reported issues with his assailant prior to the fatal attack, claiming that those complaints were not investigated appropriately.
Delgado’s recent appointment as assistant school superintendent has raised questions among board members, but the district’s leadership has defended the decision. Principal Jhone Ebert emphasized the board’s role in evaluating contracts and qualifications, rather than delving into prior controversies.
Despite past scrutiny, Delgado’s return to the school district has been framed by district officials as a move to bring in a “visionary bilingual leader,” although some remain skeptical.
