O’Connell, Wynn on commission

Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997 | 9:04 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, and casino executive Elaine Wynn have been named to the newly created state Council on Academic Standards.

The appointments were announced Monday by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

The council, created by the educational reform act of 1997, must review and recommend statewide standards in the public schools in English, math and science before Sept. 1 next year. And it must come up with standards in arts, computer education, health-physical education and social studies the following year.

Gov. Bob Miller has four appointments to the council and Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, has two. But neither have announced their choices yet.

The council is an integral part of the drive to raise the standards of Nevada students in an educational system that has been rated mediocre.

Raggio said O'Connell and Wynn "have worked diligently to improve our system of public education," and both are committed to setting high standards for students.

Raggio also announced the appointment of Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, and computer consultant Fred Dugger of Carson City to the 11-member Commission on Educational Technology that will oversee the disbursement of $27.5 million in grants to the school districts to buy computers and other electronic equipment. The commission must establish a statewide master plan for educational technology.

Raggio also named himself and Sens. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, Maurice Washington, R-Reno, and Jack Regan, D-Las Vegas, to an eight-member legislative oversight committee on education. Dini will name the other members.

In making the appointments, Raggio said the public is demanding accountability from the schools and the Legislature is responsible for public education.

"We will no longer accept the promise of 'trust me' in exchange for the billions (of dollars) we spend on education -- this legislative oversight committee will monitor the progress of reform and review the efforts of our state and local agencies," Raggio said.