School chief candidates to be investigated

Terry Webster

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999 | 11:04 a.m.

A closer look -- through a detective's magnifying glass -- is now in order for the three Clark County School District superintendent finalists.

Having endured questioning by two school panels and public scrutiny during interviews under television camera lights, the candidates are being lined up for background and reference checks.

Aside from calling the candidates' references, consultant William Attea wants the School Board to hire a private investigator to produce reports at a cost of $750 per candidate. The report would cover domestic violence, driving records, credit reports, and court and arrest records, Attea said Monday during a meeting with the School Board.

But the School Board reserved making a decision on the investigator and other matters until a meeting tonight that may result in the elimination of one or more of the hopefuls. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the administrative offices, 2832 E. Flamingo Road.

The board also is expected to consider extending the deadline for choosing a candidate from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23. Some board members feel they haven't had enough time to weigh all of the information they have received about the candidates.

Attea strongly urged the board to choose before January.

When boards take longer than two weeks to decide on a candidate, it often means they will reject the entire pool they are choosing from, he said.

Another consideration is travel plans to visit the candidates' hometowns.

"You really want to see the individual interacting with staff and get firsthand comments from staff," Attea said. "The next superintendent of Clark County is going to have to have abilities to interact with people. You find out more when you 'eyeball' them individually."

Attea proceeded to outline plans for checking the references.

James Fleming, superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is the only candidate currently employed in a permanent position.

Joseph Redden has already retired as a U.S. Air Force lieutenant general and Henry Marockie has handed in his resignation as superintendent of West Virginia schools, although he currently remains on the job.

Attea asked the School Board to not visit Fleming's district unless he is very seriously being considered. If the board makes a tour and Fleming is not chosen, there could be a perception in his hometown that there is something "wrong" with his district.

Because of military culture, it would be difficult to question anyone at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, Attea said. He said the board's time would be better spent by making telephone reference checks on Redden.

For Marockie, in-person visits could be made to the West Virginia Department of Education and possibly the governor's office, Attea said.

While he said he doesn't want the board to rush into anything, Attea asked the School Board to stay focused.

Board member Lois Tarkanian said she was "disappointed" and asked for documentation on the other 75 people who reportedly sent in resumes for the position.

Following more discussion about School Board member Mary Beth Scow, who caused a flap by having the candidates' cover letters graded, Attea told the board it is being too divisive.

Scow said she intended no ill will toward the candidates by having the letters graded.