Las Vegas NowHispanic Church Under Fire

Hispanic Church Under Fire

It took a lot of prayers, but Pastor Juan Sclafani's vision for a church and school in North Las Vegas has come full circle.

"We don't have an issue with gangs, drugs, nothing whatsoever, because we work with the parents. You have to be a church member to put your children in the school," he said. "Kids that would have never finished high school are becoming professionals."

But their small K-12 school, which helps low income Hispanic families, might have to close its doors. Sclafani says he was unaware they were missing a city permit for the school. Though he's working to get it, some of his neighbors are rallying against him.

Susan Allen says this area was zoned for ranch-style properties. It's considered a preservation area, but there are schools, a park and churches surrounding them.

She says enough is enough, "It was quiet, and of course, they've let it grow so much around here that they've taken away the majority of the preservation area."

Sclafani can't help but think race may play a role, saying residents are fighting against his school when other public schools sit only feet away.

"I do feel like it could be the issue because we are Hispanics. I don't want to feel like that and I don't want to target people that they don't like Hispanics, but that is the only conclusion I have come to," he said.

Allen disagrees, "I don't think that plays into that all. Not for myself. What they're doing with the kids, with the schooling, it's a good thing. I know the kids are being good."

But while both sides fight for what they think is right. Each knows only one will win the battle.

The North Las Vegas City Council should decide whether the First Spanish Baptist Church will get the permit needed to keep operating.

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