Overcrowding solution OK’d

Terry Webster

Tuesday, March 28, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

A three-part approach to solving overcrowding at Silverado High School was approved Monday by the Clark County School Board.

The plan to reduce enrollment at the school, located in southern Las Vegas, avoids the need for double sessions. With 3,648 students, Silverado is operating 42 percent over capacity.

More than 500 incoming ninth grade students who live more than two miles from Silverado would attend Bob Miller Middle School next year, but they would still be considered part of the Silverado student body.

The middle school, which has a capacity of 1,700, is expected to have 844 students when it opens in the fall.

The school district will provide transportation to the middle school, with shuttle buses provided to allow students to participate in Silverado activities.

The Silverado students will be housed in their own area in the middle school.

In addition, any new ninth and 10th graders in an area south of Silverado will attend Foothill High School in Henderson.

Finally, all Silverado students will have the option of attending Foothill High without district-provided transportation. The option must be declared by April 14 and it remains in effect until the student graduates.

The Silverado overcrowding problem will get a more permanent solution when a new high school south of Lake Mead Drive opens in the fall of 2001.

School Board President Mary Beth Scow was credited with coming up with the solution. Details were worked out by the school zoning staff.

Most of the parents speaking at the School Board meeting said they approved of the plan and appreciated the work school officials put into it.