Cram warns against district split

Valerie Miller

Monday, May 22, 2000 | 10:58 a.m.

Nearing his last full month as Clark County School District superintendent, Brian Cram says the community should consider the long-term effects of a breakup of the school district.

"Don't buy into anything that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer," Cram said of a petition drive to deconsolidate the Clark County School District during a speech to the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce last week.

Tonight Cram will be honored in a reception at Desert Pines High School to mark his July retirement. He will be replaced by Carlos Garcia, currently Fresno schools superintendent.

"Think very carefully before you support or sign something," Cram told the North Las Vegas business members. "Learn the impacts of what you are supporting."

The breakup of the Clark County School District would lead to "wealthier, and whiter districts," Cram said, while hurting the remaining districts with minority, and often poorer students.

"Even if you have what is technically considered equitable funding for all districts in Nevada, in wealthier districts there will be separate and wealthier parent groups formed that would supply expensive equipment, like new computers, to schools just in their districts," he said. "So, the students from poorer, urban districts, wouldn't get those benefits anymore."

Cram emphasized the role strong public education system plays in the future of the country.

"A good education provides conscientious, society-orientated students," he said. "It is in countries with poor or no educational systems where you get chaos and anarchy.

"Education is the only thing that eliminates poverty, violence and crime."

Cram urged business involvement and support in schools, comparing the investment in students' futures with a stock investment. He also spoke fondly of his 11 years as superintendent of schools.

"It's been fun. I've loved every minute of it," he said.