Board OKs release of funds to boost performance

Tuesday, June 16, 1998 | 10:57 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Twenty three schools in Nevada, where students score below average in testing, will be dividing up $2.7 million for programs to help children improve their performance.

The state Board of Examiners Monday recommended release of the funds -- $1.549 million of which will go to 13 schools in Clark County for remedial programs.

More than 40 percent of the students scored in the lower 25 percent of the nation in reading, language, mathematics and science in the schools receiving the funding. The 1997 Legislature set aside $3 million for the schools to bring students up to par.

Elementary schools in Clark County getting money are: Booker, $113,113; Bracken, $145,593; Cambeiro, $94,094; Fitzgerald, $126,688; Lynch, $135,907; Madison, $71,064; Sunrise Acres $98,500; Ruby Thomas, $207,140; and Wooley, $105,451. Middle schools receiving money are Cashman, $114,450; Martin, $73,430; and J. D. Smith, $133,393. Western High School will get $130,484.

State Budget Director Perry Comeaux told the board there is still $286,386 left and some of the schools which need the money badly should reapply for the remainder.

The recommendation goes to the Legislative Interim Finance Committee which will take final action to release the funds. If there is no improvement in three years at the schools, the state may take over their operation.

Meanwhile the Examiners Board recommended an emergency appropriation of $79,484 to keep the Southern Nevada Children's Home in Boulder City in mothballs. The money would pay for property and liability insurance, utilities and for Boulder City to take care of grounds maintenance, sprinkler repairs, police surveillance and minor exterior repairs.

The 1997 Legislature voted to close the home and send the children to foster homes. The state Division of Lands has indicated it will take legislative action to deed this land back to Boulder City. In the meantime it must be maintained while the state seeks to dispose of the property. The money would allow the maintenance to continue to next March, at which time the Legislature will be in session.

The board also approved proposed land exchanges for Floyd Lamb State Park in Clark County and Spring Valley State Park in Lincoln County.

Private parties hold 77 acres and 40 acres within Lamb Park. The 77- acre parcel is being proposed for a residential subdivision. The city of Las Vegas is terminating a zoo lease which had encumbered a large portion of the park land and has offered to help the state in brokering these exchanges.

Land offered in exchange for the property would equal the value of private lands being acquired.

At Spring Valley, there are 80 acres in private ownership within the park. The state would exchange a like amount of property within the park that has little recreational value.

If the state acquires this private land, it would allow the improvement of water quality of Eagle Valley Reservoir by eliminating cattle grazing on the exchanged site.