Five in running for county school board

Benjamin Grove

Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998 | 12:32 p.m.

Clark County School Board candidate Sheila Moulton said she has drawn a few blank stares when she knocks on the doors of her district.

"There's quite a bit of apathy," Moulton said. "They don't know what to ask."

Those who are concerned about school district issues want to know more about Question 2, a school-bond issue that affects property taxes, and about the district's attendance policy, Moulton said.

"Every one of us needs to be more involved in education," Moulton said.

Moulton, 48, a substitute teacher and a long-time active parent in the schools, is stressing more technology in the classroom, more vocational education in the district and a return to more phonics in reading.

Moulton is one of five candidates vying for three seats on the seven-member School Board, which oversees an annual budget of nearly $1 billion, 227 schools and more than 200,000 students.

Moulton and Patrick Boylan are vying for the District G seat being vacated by Judy Witt. Boylan, 46, is a community college computer teacher and technical writer for Gaming Systems International.

Boylan said he wants the school district to do a better job of fixing older schools, repeating his call for "safe and comfortable schools." Boylan, who has a master's degree in educational leadership, also advocates more shared partnerships between colleges and school districts.

In the District F race, travel agent Jack Levin is looking to unseat current board President Susan Brager, a realtor.

Levin, 35, advocates better fiscal management. He believes the board should watch its dollars more carefully.

"That is the question people are asking -- 'How are we going to save money?' "

Levin also wants the district to pursue building two-story schools and has called for the district to close school on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jewish holy days.

Brager, 51, said she wants to continue her work improving the classroom for students. She supports putting more veteran teachers in at-risk schools and has stressed reading programs. Brager also has worked to establish a matching year-round calendar for elementary and middle schools, so that families can have the same vacation times.

Brager also stresses safety.

"When they come to school, they need to know they are safe," she said.

Incumbent trustee Larry Mason is running unopposed for his District D seat. The community college administrator said he wants to continue his work to reduce dropout rates.