Fresno chief will be pursued by Clark County school board

Tuesday, March 28, 2000 | 11:15 a.m.

The Clark County School District is pursuing a contract with the head of the Fresno Unified School District, with the effort intensifying after a second candidate dropped from the running.

Trustees of the nation's eighth largest school district spent more than two hours discussing the merits of the two finalists Monday before the head of a search committee reported one of them had withdrawn.

The board voted to pursue a contract with Carlos Garcia, who had been a favorite among board members and a search committee.

The other finalist, Timothy Jenny, superintendent of the Virginia Beach City School District, told a search consultant he was considering withdrawing his name Sunday, then did so on Monday.

Search consultant William Attea did not reveal Jenney's withdrawal until some board members hesitated Monday afternoon in naming a favorite.

The indecision prompted Attea to tell board members "If you don't make a decision today, you'll lose both candidates."

"You've already lost one of your candidates," Attea told startled board members. "Dr. Jenney is no longer a candidate as of yesterday."

Board member Larry Mason was angry, telling Attea that the board was entitled to full disclosure. Attea said he believed board members would not have been able to have a discussion on candidate strengths, knowing that the choice was down to one.

Attea told board members that the Fresno School Board was discussing incentives to keep Garcia.

"It's my understanding they're offering a $20,000 (salary) increase to him to stay," Attea said.

Garcia was the leading candidate before Attea's abrupt announcement. Five of seven board members had expressed support for the Fresno chief.

After Attea's announcement, the board voted 6-1 to negotiate a contract with Garcia.

Garcia is asking for a $200,000 base salary plus other benefits making the package worth about $270,000 annually. Garcia, who is paid $135,850 a year in Fresno, is seeking a four-year contract.

The board hopes to have a contract finalized by April 6.

The Fresno district is the fourth-largest in California with 79,000 students. Clark County has 217,000 students.