Columnist Bill Hanlon: Elko has right idea about local districts handling local problems

BILL HANLON is a school district administrator and a member of the State Board of Education. He can be reached on the Internet at bhanlon@ accessnv.com.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL if I taught your children to add and subtract fractions, then gave them a test on adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, comparing and converting fractions? Would unfair enter your mind?

Well that's what is being proposed at the Legislative Committee on Education: testing students on material they have yet to be taught.

At least one school district has put in writing what other educators around the state have been talking about. I give credit to the Elko School Board for passing a resolution dealing with matters of school policy and government that need to be said.

During the last session of the Legislature, more than 50 bills were passed that dealt with public schools. Some were far-reaching; most weren't well thought out. Our Legislature has a bad habit of holding onto bills until the last weeks of the session when the rules are suspended. This effectively translates into the people not knowing what is happening and legislators voting on bills they have not read. I would say the Legislature is in dire need of reform. But that's a different story.

Some bills that were passed were done with the knowledge that they would have a large impact but without addressing their consequences. Other bills were passed that were exempted from statutes currently on the books.

The Nevada Educational Reform Act is one such statute. Although the Legislature passed an "unfunded mandate" statute two sessions ago, the reform act's drafters exempted it from that statute. Basically, the "unfunded mandate" statute requires sources of funding to be identified before any bill is made law. Local school districts are paying out the nose because of this exemption.

But legislators are good to themselves -- they don't pass laws that would hurt them. They gave the Legislative Counsel Bureau additional funds and staff to deal with the reform act. They hired outside consultants for about $500,000 that I am aware of, but they have not been able to fund local school districts for working on the same projects.

I believe a proposed bill will put middle school students in physical danger. Local districts have a right to be concerned with the arrogance being displayed in Carson City.

The Elko School Board has taken the following positions:

1. That each piece of legislation be given a reasonable time frame so that the effect on local districts can be assessed as to whether it is accomplishing what it's supposed to and if it's in the district's favor to continue such legislation.

2. That legislation being considered be thoroughly reviewed for its financial and practical effects on local districts.

3. That legislation be studied and revised to not contradict or conflict with locally proven approaches.

4. That all proposals be thoroughly researched regarding possible financial burdens on local districts and if they are feasible to implement.

5. That local boards be included in initial and draft stages of any legislation that may affect the education of school children.

6. That all legislation affecting local school districts be under the "open meeting law" policy and subject to public input.

7. That the Elko School Board knows that local problems are more effectively dealt with on a local level and local districts need to be given the autonomy necessary to find solutions tailored to their own needs.

8. That political candidates address local school boards to explain their proposals and receive input.

And a final note to legislators: Students should not be tested on material they have not be taught.

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