Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sun Editorial:

A course for education

Sun’s endorsements for regent, Board of Education, School Board

Full list of endorsements

The Sun has made its endorsements of candidates in the general election. The full list of endorsements can be found by clicking here. Starting today, editorials will discuss the endorsements.

Among the topics discussed with candidates seeking the Sun’s support, education has been second only to the economy. But that doesn’t do the subject justice; education is the backbone of a strong economy, and Nevada needs to see improvement in an education system that has been stuck at the bottom of the nation.

Because of the importance of education, we start our election endorsements today with candidates for the positions of university regent, state Board of Education and Clark County School Board.

University regent

Cedric Crear was elected six years ago to the seat in District 1, and he has proved himself to be an asset to the board. Crear is a native Nevadan who has worked in the casino industry and runs his own business, so he understands what higher education needs to do to get students ready for the workforce. He is the clear choice in this race. The Sun endorses Cedric Crear.

Stavan Corbett is running against Allison Stephens in District 4 for an open seat on the board. Corbett won election two years ago to the state Board of Education. He has worked hard on the board and is a good candidate, but we have been impressed by Stephens. She has two degrees, including a master’s, from UNLV and understands education not only from her perspective as a former student but also from her experience in the private sector. And, Stephens is active in the community and sees education’s role throughout her district. The Sun endorses Allison Stephens.

The race for District 12 brings two familiar names: Andrea Anderson and Lonnie “Doc” Hammargren. Hammargren is a retired neurosurgeon whom we’ve known and appreciated for years — he’s been a member of the state Board of Education, a regent and lieutenant governor. He has done much good with little fanfare, and we think the world of him. Anderson is a retired CSN administrator with a doctoral degree in education. She also has served the public well in her career. A former member of the Boulder City Council, she was appointed to the seat in 2009 and won election to the unexpired term in 2010. She has been a solid member of the board, and because of that, we see no reason to make a change. The Sun endorses Andrea Anderson.

State Board of Education

The state Board of Education was reorganized in the past session of the Legislature; the number of elected officials has been cut and the board will now primarily deal in policy issues. There are two races in Clark County for the board, and both have attracted good candidates.

In District 1, Alexis Gonzales-Black, a Teach for America alumna who now works for Zappos, gets our nod. Her great passion for education coupled with her classroom experience and private sector work makes a dynamic package. The Sun endorses Alexis Gonzales-Black.

Allison Serafin, who is running in District 4, is one of the standouts on the ballot. She is passionate and has strong and varied experience in the K-12 system. Having worked as a teacher and administrator for Teach for America, she has a deep knowledge about policy and what works — and doesn’t. She’ll be a great fit on the board. The Sun endorses Allison Serafin.

Clark County School Board

Deanna Wright was elected four years ago to the School Board in District A and has made some difficult choices that have cost her political support. However, Wright, the board’s vice president, has been a steadfast advocate of the types of changes that are needed to improve student achievement. That makes her the clear choice in this district. The Sun endorses Deanna Wright.

Chris Garvey, who won election in District B four years ago, has had a solid first term. She was an advocate for the hiring of Superintendent Dwight Jones, and she has supported ideas and initiatives that are starting to show fruit. The Sun endorses Chris Garvey.

In District E, voters have two good candidates: James Clinton and Patrice Tew. Clinton has a strong financial background in the private sector and has children in public schools. He also has been actively involved in the community. Tew, a retired attorney, has raised her children in the district, and she has great experience as a parent volunteer working on district committees and initiatives. Voters can’t go wrong in this race: The Sun endorses James Clinton and Patrice Tew.

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