Reins to tighten in schools search

Terry Webster

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000 | 11:55 a.m.

Sticking closer to the script will be one of the goals of the Superintendent Search Selection Process Committee while interviewing candidates to head the Clark County School District.

The committee and the School Board are gearing up for round two in the hunt for a new superintendent for the district, the eighth largest in the country. Two candidates, who will be produced by a search firm, will be interviewed in March.

During the first set of interviews, the committee allowed for a more free-flowing interaction with the candidates, committee member Arthur Williams said.

"We got away from the process," he said.

As a result, the committee's assessment centers became more like an interview. On Monday, the committee agreed to adhere to the assessment center format, which will be followed by a question-and-answer period.

In the assessment center, candidates will be asked to respond to different scenarios such as management style, diversity, student achievement and a six-month entry plan.

Looking back over the first search, committee Chairman Sig Rogich said: "The dialog has been spirited from time to time, but I think that's part of the process. ... We are working in the spirit of good intentions and camaraderie."

Rogich said he met with School Board President Mary Beth Scow and anticipates a positive working relationship between the committee and the board.

"I'm taking to heart the things that she is focused on in the most positive way," Rogich said.

An item to develop a plan for recommending an interim superintendent was removed from Monday's agenda. The School Board has opposed considering interim candidates at this time.

University Regent Mark Alden spoke during the meeting, calling for a reform of Nevada's school system in kindergarten through Grade 12.

"It's not the work of the committee, it's what has to be done in Carson City with legislation being brought forward," Alden said. "What we're seeing is a change and a reform in K-12 throughout the country. This state has not undertaken a serious K-12 reform."

Alden also called for "ground rules that allow a superintendent some flexibility in the way they operate."

"Money, by the way, doesn't solve all evils," he added. "Money is always good for K-12, but we've got to solve the basic ground rules." A schedule set by the School Board indicates the two candidates will be announced during a special board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on March 7 at the board room in the Greer Education Center, 2832 E. Flamingo Road. A series of interviews, site visits and other activities will follow.

The School Board wants to name a new superintendent by April 1 to replace Brian Cram, who is retiring in July.

Five candidates interviewed by the School Board and the committee during the first round either dropped out or were eliminated.