Carolyn Edwards elected School Board president

By Anthony Ramirez

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 | 10:41 a.m.

Carolyn Edwards was elected president of the Clark County School Board this morning, which serves the fifth-largest school district in the country.

The district, with about 310,000 students and a $2 billion budget, is facing enormous budget pressures as the state Legislature meets next month to close a $2 billion-plus budget deficit.

Clark County is where nearly three-quarters of public school students live.

Edwards' election was expected and came on a 6-0 vote. She joined the board in 2007 and was vice president while Terri Janison was president.

Janison resigned last year to join the staff of Gov. Brian Sandoval, who recommends a state budget on Jan. 24. The budget is expected to be austere and recommend large cuts for Clark County.

The school board is working quickly to fill Janison's spot on the seven-member board. Applications for the position are being accepted until Jan.10.

Linda Young, another veteran member and the only minority-group member, was elected vice president. She has made the needs of minority and low-income students a high priority. Nearly half of students in the district qualify for free or subsidized meals.