Board closes in on sites for three new schools

The Clark County School Board is eyeing three pockets of the Las Vegas Valley -- in the southeast, southwest and northeast -- for the last three elementary schools to be built with 1996 bond money.

The board could approve the general areas as early as Thursday at its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. at 2832 E. Flamingo Road. Board members likely would approve specific sites next month.

The issue could prove important and controversial to parents who are concerned about crowded schools.

Voters in 1996 approved a $643 million bond issue that raised property taxes to pay for 16 new schools and for renovation of existing schools, a response to the district's explosive growth. Voters also approved a $605 million bond issue in 1994.

Sites have been decided for 13 of the 16 new buildings, and most are under construction.

The remaining three schools scheduled for discussion Thursday would be the last to be built with the 1996 money. Officials are planning another bond referendum for November that, if approved, would raise up to $3.5 billion for an estimated 88 new schools in the next 10 years.

"I don't expect it to be (controversial) but I know it can be, especially when you're talking about the last schools that have been approved for construction," district demographer Dusty Dickens said.

However, officials said that the item could be pulled from the agenda and scheduled for later discussion because just three of seven board members are expected to be in the room for the meeting. Ruth Johnson is scheduled to be connected to the meeting by conference call, which would constitute a quorum.

"We felt like this was a major item, and it's better if it's considered by the full board," board President Susan Brager said.

Johnson, board members Larry Mason, Mary Beth Scow and Judy Witt will be out of state.

The new schools are scheduled to open in the fall of 2000.

District officials are negotiating with several property owners for specific pieces of property within the general areas. Officials declined to say which properties are the focus of negotiations. The district also already owns several parcels of land in the three areas.

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