Clearer focus sought in superintendent search

Terry Webster

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

A clearer, improved focus is the goal for phase two of the quest for a new superintendent for the Clark County School District, which gets under way this week with a series of meetings for the School Board and the Superintendent Selection Process Committee.

Four key areas are on tap for a Wednesday workshop with consultant William Attea of the Glenview, Ill.-based firm Hazard, Young & Attea Associates. The workshop is set for noon to 5 p.m. in the board room at the Greer Education Center, 2832 East Flamingo Road.

"We're going to be looking at out ability to communicate with each other, and we're going to work on our 'boardmanship' and how we deal with one another," Sheila Moulton, board clerk, said. "We're also going to look more specifically at the criteria for the new superintendent and see what really needs to go forward on that."

The budget for the superintendent search, expected to total $140,000 by the time it's over, also is a concern.

"We need to be fiscally responsible, and we also need to tell the public where the money is going and what needs to be spent in order to get a good superintendent," Moulton said.

Another expectation is that the School Board will clarify the committee's role, which last week supported media mogul James Rogers as an interim until a permanent superintendent is found.

The majority of the committee supported the concept, except for member Dr. Cheryl Routh, who has conducted medical research and taught biomedical sciences at the medical school level.

Routh said she has nothing against Rogers or his credentials, but she believes the committee should adhere to the School Board's direction.

"The School Board never had an official vote on changing the process," said Routh, who also questions why Rogers was recommended when his application and resume were never presented for review.

Those supporting Rogers feel he could fill in and reduce pressure on the School Board to fill the position before Superintendent Brian Cram retires in July.

Last week the School Board directed Attea to produce two more candidates. Of the five candidates originally interviewed in the search, three dropped out and two were rejected by the board.

The School Board's regular meeting is slated for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the board room in the Education Center.