Residents in south LV oppose school site

Terry Webster

Friday, Jan. 14, 2000 | 11:37 a.m.

Many parents would love a new neighborhood school to reduce overcrowding, but can't get one.

A group of Henderson residents, however, illustrated to the Clark County School board, during Thursday's meeting, that they do not want the school slated to be built in their neighborhood -- at least not at the proposed site.

A middle school at Spencer Street and Wigwam Parkway is scheduled for completion in August 2001.

Instead the homeowners in the area suggested another site, less than a half-mile away at Maryland Parkway and Wigwam Parkway. After hearing their concerns, School Board President Mary Beth Scow agreed to set up a meeting with the residents, board members and school staff to further explore the issue.

Heavy traffic and increased flooding were two reasons for not wanting the school built -- others involved changing the character of the neighborhood. It was also pointed out that the area already supports two schools.

Steve McMahon said a brick wall near his home has twice been destroyed by traffic accidents caused by speeding cars.

McMahon said he bought the home with the intention that children could play in the backyard. "In the last few months, I've had to change my mind about that," he said.

Warren Peters said the building would increase problems in the already flood-prone area.

Meanwhile, a draft report by a state panel regarding the academic probation of Fitzgerald Elementary School is causing outrage for members of the community activist group WAAK-UP (Westside Action Alliance Korps--Uplifting People).

"This nonsense has got to stop," WAAK-UP President Marzette Lewis told the board.

Lewis passed out a copy of the draft report to school officials which was later obtained by the Sun. The final report will include a narrative for each of the points made in the draft.

According to the report, test scores at the school over the past three years were placed in the bottom quarter of the national percentile. The test data for 1999 will be available this month.

Aside from a few comments, little discussion was held on the new superintendent search, which the board discussed for five hours during a workshop on Wednesday.

The Superintendent Selection Process Committee met briefly Thursday morning, and reaffirmed its commitment to help the School Board in its search for a new superintendent. The district is hoping to fill the position by April 1.