Garcia alone in schools race

Terry Webster

Tuesday, March 28, 2000 | 11:20 a.m.

Carlos Garcia was the Clark County School Board's No. 1 candidate before he became the only one.

The board voted 6-1 Monday to offer the district's superintendent position to Garcia, superintendent of the Fresno Unified School District in California.

After a long debate on the merits of two finalists, search consultant William Attea stunned the School Board by announcing that Virginia Beach City Public Schools Superintendent Timothy Jenney was no longer in the race.

Almost in unison, jaws dropped.

Fortunately the board's discussion had already shown that Garcia was its favorite.

According to board members, their decision about Garcia was a matter of fit. They said he is better suited for the district.

Board members said they liked Garcia's emphasis on children, along with his stance on accountability, interaction with community members and his dynamic personality.

But the board didn't like Attea's strategy for announcing Jenney's withdrawal.

"Why do people even come here and apply?" Susan Brager, board vice president, said.

Board member Larry Mason asked why Attea withheld the information.

Attea said he didn't want to spoil the debate on the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.

"At first I was a little unsettled, but I feel really good about it now," President Mary Beth Scow said.

In a letter to Attea, Jenney wrote that he did not feel comfortable leaving his responsibilities in the Virginia Beach school district.

Garcia said last week he didn't want the job unless the board wants someone who will make changes.

"I've never maintained the status quo," Garcia said. "I'm not a manager. I'm a leader. If you're up to that and you have the courage to take on someone like that, then I'd love to work here. I think we can create some magic."

The board members said Garcia and Jenney were both well-qualified.

Two members, Ruth Johnson and Shirley Barber, supported Jenney. They voiced concerns that Garcia lacks a Ph.D, although other board members said that didn't matter to them.

Barber cast the lone negative vote, an abstention.

"My heart and soul just wasn't in it," Barber said. "I liked Jenney. I guess the proof will be in the pudding when we see how Garica performs. I do wish him well, though. I'm sure he will work out."

The Superintendent Selection Process Committee, a School Board-appointed panel of business and community leaders, endorsed Garcia last week.

A signed contract will be the final step in bringing Garcia on board. School officials are beginning negotiations, with Garcia's appointment as the district's new superintendent set for April 6. Board members also are planning to visit Fresno.

"The only thing that could ruin this is a glitch in the contract negotiations," said Attea. "But I think they will work through all of that."

Attea recruited Garcia for the Clark County position during a San Francisco conference of the American Association of School Administrators.

Garcia is seeking a salary and benefits package that totals $274,500, or $35,471 more than retiring Superintendent Brian Cram's total package of $241,029. Cram's base salary is $158,000.

Garcia told school officials he wants a four-year contract that includes a $200,000 base salary, a $10,000 performance bonus, a $10,500 tax annuity, a $5,000 car allowance and $5,000 for vacation day buy-backs. Other benefits would total $44,000.

He also is asking for a moving allowance of up to $20,000 and travel expenses to and from the district.

In Fresno, the School Board pulled an item from its Monday agenda to offer Garcia a pay incentive to stay on, a school spokeswoman said.

Garcia earns a base salary of $135,850 in Fresno, where he has served as superintendent since 1997. The fourth-largest school district in California, Fresno Unified has approximately 79,000 students and a budget of about $500 million.

Clark County is the nation's eighth-largest school system with 217,000 students and a budget of about $1.5 billion.

The first round of superintendent interviews was riddled with controversy.

The biggest surprise came when one of the five original candidates, West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools Henry Marockie, misrepresented his salary and benefits. The fib launched a West Virginia investigation into Marockie's handling of public and private funds and ended with his resignation.

Another candidate left the race after his resume cover letter was criticized, although he cited family concerns.

The district reportedly tried to "low ball" candidate Joseph Redden, a retired Air Force lieutenant general, after he requested a $200,000 base salary. Shortly after negotiations, Redden bowed out, citing family concerns.

By the time all of the candidates exited the first race, potential interim candidates began coming forward. The first was Las Vegas businessman James Rogers, a television and radio station owner.

Although the committee pushed Rogers, the plan never came before the School Board for a vote.

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