Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION:

Board’s critics seek more input on big moves

An example: Decision to drop bond measure

The Clark County School Board could have done a better job informing the public of its intention to hold off on a $9.5 billion capital campaign and to pull a bond measure off the November ballot.

That was the message Friday from the handful of people who turned out for a special School Board meeting.

“This bombshell was dropped,” said Skip Rappaport, a longtime School Board observer. “When was the decision made to pull the bond, and who was in on the decision-making process? How did you expect the word to reach the public?”

The School Board gave tentative approval to the plan on Wednesday, but the agenda item for that meeting gave no inkling about canceling the campaign. So a second vote was set for Friday, which would give the public a chance to comment and still allow the district to withdraw its ballot question by Monday’s deadline.

Too often, Rappaport said, district staff asks the School Board to act hastily on a recommendation because a deadline is looming, reducing the opportunity for thoughtful discussion.

School Board member Ruth Johnson apologized for the lack of notification about Friday’s vote, but insisted the decision was far from a rubber stamp. The move came after months of staff reports indicating changes to the district’s enrollment and economic conditions, the latest of which was heard publicly Wednesday, Johnson said.

The district had planned to seek $7 billion through a bond measure with another $2.5 billion coming from hotel room tax and property tax revenues.

Instead, because of slower-than-expected enrollment growth and a shaky economy, the campaign has been tabled until 2010.

•••

In March, the State Board of Education blocked requests by two online charter schools to add classes in grades K-3, citing concerns about whether distance learning was appropriate for students that young.

The charter schools, both sponsored by the State Board, promptly filed suit, alleging the requests had not been given fair consideration.

On Wednesday, the State Board held a closed-door meeting with its attorney to discuss pending litigation. In open session, the board split but didn’t support motions to reconsider requests by Nevada Connections Academy and Nevada Virtual Academy.

The board voted 4-4 on the motion to reconsider Nevada Virtual Academy and 3-5 on Nevada Connections Academy.

Board President Marcia Washington and members Anthony Ruggiero, Merv Iverson and Cindy Reid voted against both motions. Barbara Myers, Cliff Ferry and Sharon Frederick voted for both motions. John Gwaltney voted “yes” on Nevada Virtual and “no” on Nevada Connections Academy. Greg Nance and Jan Biggerstaff were absent.

The charter schools could well find more support for

K-3 distance learning in January, when new members take their seats. Three “no” voters — Reid, Iverson and Washington — aren’t seeking reelection, and “yes” voter Frederick faces a challenge from Gloria Bonaventura.

“Naturally, we are going to be watching the races very carefully,” said State Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, the attorney representing Nevada Virtual Academy. “But we have to deal right now with the board that we’ve got.”

There’s still a possibility of the two sides reaching agreement outside the courtroom, Care said.

Nevada Connections Academy also hopes “there’s appetite to resolve this without litigation,” said the school’s attorney, Laura Granier of Reno. “Parents really want and need this program.”

•••

In related news, State Board President Washington announced Wednesday she planned to resign to help care for an ailing family member. Her colleagues expressed dismay and asked her to consider giving up the president’s seat and its time-consuming duties but remaining on the board.

The decision to leave wasn’t easy, said Washington, who had previously opted not to seek a third term. She plans to step down next month.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy