School Board gives superintendent positive review

By Conor Shine

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 | 4:20 p.m.

The Clark County School Board elected new leaders and gave Superintendent Dwight Jones a positive review during its annual organization meeting and workshop on Wednesday.

Trustee Linda Young was chosen to serve as president of the board for the next year, replacing outgoing President Carolyn Edwards. Young has served on the board since 2009 and has served as vice president and clerk.

Trustee Deanna Wright, a board member since 2009, was chosen vice president, and John Cole, a trustee since 2011, was elected clerk.

The board also conducted an annual performance review of the superintendent.

School district spokeswoman Amanda Fulkerson said that after a brief discussion, the board found Jones is meeting all the requirements of his job.

During remarks to the board, Jones touted efforts the district has undertaken to improve student performance, including better tracking of students’ progress toward graduation, increasing academic standards and encouraging collaboration between elementary, middle and high schools.

“Rather than dumb down curriculum, we are beefing up standards and providing better, more individualized support so more students are more successful on more challenging material,” Jones told the board. “You said kids were going to be your priority and every decision would hinge on what’s best for our students, and you have stood by that.”

Jones will deliver a State of the School District Address tomorrow at Chaparral High School, where he will talk more about the past year and what’s planned for the district this year.