The Clark County School District is suing to recover damages from a 2008 fire that was set in the boys' locker room at Palo Verde High School in Summerlin.
The district on Monday sued a youth who was arrested in the blaze as well as his parents in hopes of recovering damages it said totaled $71,318.20.
On April 10, 2008, a two-alarm fire in the locker room prompted a short evacuation of some 3,400 students.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue said the blaze was kept in check by automatic sprinklers, but that firefighters had to put out small fires involving the contents of the lockers. News reports at the time described damage from smoke and to the building because of a hole firefighters had to cut in the roof.
A 17-year-old student was arrested at the time.
In its suit, the school district says the defendant was charged with first degree arson and as part of a plea agreement he agreed to pay $1,000 in restitution to the district. As of Sept. 11, just $453 had been paid, the suit says.
The lawsuit seeks a judgment of $71,318 against the teen, and judgments of up to $10,000 apiece against each of his parents.
The district said in its lawsuit that under Nevada law, parents and guardians can be held liable for damages of up to $10,000 for a child's injury to public property caused by misconduct.
"The actions of defendant ... in damaging said property constituted willful misconduct," the district lawsuit says.
"The district said in its lawsuit that under Nevada law, parents and guardians can be held liable for damages of up to $10,000 for a child's injury to public property caused by misconduct."
Nevada law needs to be changed so the parents are held liable for all costs. By limiting damages parents can be held liable for it allows the parents not be a parent and puts the liability on us taxpayers. Change the law!