Education chief gets good review

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Mary Peterson, state superintendent of public instruction, is doing a good job but needs to improve in some areas, including paying more attention to upgrading the office in Las Vegas.

That's the evaluation of Peterson's performance by the state Board of Education. Board President Lilliam Hickey said Peterson, who has been on the job nearly two years, rated a "standard" grade.

"I'm very satisfied with her performance," Hickey said today. "Like everyone, she's not perfect and more needs to be done in some areas."

Hickey said the board rated Peterson "very high" in her relations with the Nevada Legislature, which hands out the money to education.

The education board said Monday that Peterson needs to give "increased attention and visibility to the Las Vegas office" of the agency; provide stronger leadership to the Department of Education staff and do a formal evaluation on the results of the reorganization of the department.

Peterson was commended by the board for "her accessibility to the local districts, her leadership in the 'Success by Six' project, tying state Board of Education priorities to the legislative agenda, networking with legislators and community organizations regarding board issues and her continued effort and concern for the children of Nevada."

One of the things the board wants to see is "stepping up service" to Las Vegas, said Hickey. That includes getting new teachers certified more quickly. She said this was "not all the fault" of Peterson, who must deal with state personnel rules in making changes.

This is the second evaluation and the board said it "unanimously supports Mrs. Peterson in carrying forward the state board's goals and priorities to the 1997 Legislature and to the citizens of the state of Nevada."

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