DMV says only lawmen get them
What Are School District Administrators
Doing with Undercover License Plates?

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A number of Washoe County School District administrators have special 'undercover' plates on their unmarked district cars, says a critic of the district.  
"These plates are typically issued to law enforcement agencies for undercover operations," says James Clark, chairman of Citizens Associated for Responsible Education in our Schools (CARES).
Called "cold" plates by law enforcement agencies, the license plates look like those issued to private citizens and normally can't be traced to a public agency except by other law enforcement personnel.
"We're having a hard time trying to understand why school district administrators need cold plates. The only conclusion we've been able to draw is that they are using these vehicles for personal use and don't want anyone to know about it," said Clark.
"Normally, vehicles exempt from registration fees are supposed to be clearly identified as 'For Official Use Only" and to bear plates clearly indicating such exemptions," he said.
According to the list provided by Clark, at least eight Washoe County administrators have the "cold" plates -- Superintendents Ken Grein, Jim Welsch and John Gascue, Associate Superintendents Paul Flemming and Jerry Holloway, Personnel Director Denese Gallues, Administrative Investigator Kelly Adams, and Director of Administrative Services Gil Folk.
Asked why the administrators had apparently been approved for the undercover plates, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles assistant director and spokesman Gordon Absher said he could not confirm that the plates in question were unlisted.

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far as an unlisted plate [goes], it is our practice to maintain the integrity of the unlisted plate," he said. "They are issued for a reason and to discuss them especially in specifics, I just cannot do."
Asked, "generally speaking," what would be a reason for non-law enforcement people to get such plates, Absher repeatedly maintained that "We would not issue it to a non-law enforcement person.
"We ask for a justification for the unlisted plate on the application," he said.
"The spirit of the law, as far as our interpretation, is that these are for undercover law enforcement purposes."
Absher acknowledged that Nevada Revised Statute 482.368, which authorizes the issuing of undercover plates for various investigators, also has what he termed "some wiggle room," in that it also allows issuance of the special plates for "such other purposes as are approved upon proper application and justification."
The Washoe County School District's director of transportation, Kurt Svare, after being read the list of positions on CARES's list, was asked why, the individuals in question could have received the plates.
"I really couldn't tell you why they received them," he said. "I know that's a decision that's made by the superintendent's office -- [by] someone higher up than I am."
He suggested that district spokesman Steve Mulvenon, or district Superintendent Mary Nebgen, be asked. Neither were in


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