Search for school superintendent delayed

Terry Webster

Tuesday, March 7, 2000 | 11:04 a.m.

The Clark County School District's hunt for a new superintendent will be delayed following a request for an extension by search consultant William Attea.

The names of two potential leaders for the district -- the country's eighth largest with 217,000 students -- were expected to be unveiled during a joint meeting of the School Board and the Superintendent Selection Process Committee tonight.

But the school district announced late Monday that Attea wants more time.

A three-week schedule of interviews and other activities had already been mapped out. It would have ended with the possible announcement of a new superintendent by the end of this month. The School Board was scheduled to start interviewing candidates at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Attea's request was coupled with a school district press release stating additional candidates were found last weekend during an American Association of School Administrators conference. The search firm needs more time to conduct background checks on the new candidates.

During the first round, candidate Henry Marockie, West Virginia state superintendent of schools, misled the board about his salary and benefits package. That resulted in an on-going investigation in that state into his handling of public funds.

To prevent a similar mistake this round, the School Board asked Attea to conduct a thorough background check of all candidates before they are presented to the board.

Details on how the search will proceed are expected to be outlined during tonight's meeting.

School Board President Mary Beth Scow said the process could be delayed by up to two weeks.

"I think we're fine on our time line," Scow said.

Scow said Attea has, "some real promising candidates."

The district has budgeted up to $149,000 for the entire search, an amount that includes a fixed fee of $40,000 for Attea of the Glenview, Ill.-based firm Hazard, Young & Associates. Attea's travel expenses could total as much as $20,000 by the time the search is finished.

Board member Shirley Barber welcomed the prospect of more candidates.

"I understand there are other candidates and that's what we need," Barber said. "I guess we'll just have to wait until he gets them. I'd rather have him produce good people and allow us to take our time because this is such a major decision."

Board member Lois Tarkanian said it's important for the public to understand where the process stands and that will be discussed tonight.

"Of course, I want them to come up with the best possible people," Tarkanian said. "My understanding of it is that (Attea) feels there were very strong candidates at this conference."

Following the first set of interviews, which began in November, three candidates were eliminated by the School Board and two others dropped out of the race by late December. Shortly after, the School Board directed Attea to continue the search.

The board meets at 5:30 tonight at the Greer Education Center, 2832 E. Flamingo Road.

Terry Webster covers education for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-4091 or e-mailher at terry@lasvegassun.com