Williams claims officials want his teacher’s license

Larry Henry

Thursday, May 15, 1997 | 7:39 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Wendell Williams said he'll file a complaint with the attorney general's office against education officials plotting to revoke his teaching license.

Debbie Cahill, a lobbyist for the teachers union, said four members of the state Board of Education were talking over lunch in a Carson City Taco Bell Saturday about drafting a bill to suspend Williams' license.

Williams, a Las Vegas Democrat who chairs the Assembly Education Committee, has battled with the board over his support of Gov. Bob Miller's plan to establish teaching standards.

Board members say standards already exist.

Cahill, who was at the lunch, said board member Jan Biggerstaff told those present that she asked Deputy Attorney General Melanie Meehan-Crossley whether she could draft such a bill.

Contacted by phone Wednesday, Biggerstaff denied she said that at lunch or ever asked for a bill.

"That wouldn't even cross my mind," she said.

Efforts to contact Meehan-Crossley were unsuccessful.

Board member Bill Hanlon, also present at the lunch, said he didn't hear Biggerstaff say that, although there was some playful banter about Williams.

Hanlon, who has fought with Williams in the past, said he heard that a board member has asked about legislation to revoke the license of any teacher who has not paid child support. Williams is involved in a legal dispute over child support payments.

Williams said the alleged luncheon discussion "shows how small and petty they are."

"It's out of their jurisdiction (to revoke a license)," he said.

Williams, who now works as an analyst for the city of Las Vegas, has been licensed to teach since 1981 and last taught sixth-grade science.