Increased spending a priority for Board of Education

Terry Webster

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 10:50 a.m.

Candidates elected Tuesday to the state Board of Education -- which has been accused of lacking decisive leadership -- are hoping to restore more clout to the board.

"Everyone keeps saying education is the top priority. If that's true, then let's prove it," said Theresa Malone, who defeated Patricia Smith in District 2, Subdistrict G.

Malone said the Legislature should schedule funding for education first, instead of last.

Malone, 49, who was a UNLV student and a Community College of Southern Nevada honors student, has called for increasing per-pupil spending, increasing teacher salaries and getting textbooks for all children who require them.

In the race for District 2, Subdistrict D, John Hawk defeated Edward Goldman, the Clark County School District's assistant superintendent for administrative operations and staff relations.

Hawk, 26, a mathematics teacher at Green Valley High School in Henderson, wants to maintain fairness and consistency while measuring student performance. Additionally, he emphasized keeping guns, other weapons and alcohol off school grounds.

"I'm really looking forward to working with all of the board members and building working relationships with them, so we can ensure that everyone is on the same page," Hawk said following his victory.

Marcia Washington, 47, who said the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam will be one of the first topics she tackles as a board member, defeated surpassed Tracey Lewis in the race for the District 2, Subdistrict A seat.

"I think proficiency exams should be used as diagnostic tools to compare our state to other states," she said. "Students should not be required to go through 12 years of school, then take an exam to determine whether they will graduate."

Washington said her other top issues include more local control and public input, along with improving the overall quality and education for all Nevada students. She is a high school graduate and attended UNLV.

Merv Iverson ran unopposed in District 2, Subdistrict F. He was appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to succeed Bill Hanlon, who resigned from the post.

In Washoe County, District 1, Subdistrict B, John Gwaltney ran unopposed. Incumbent David Cook defeated challenger Barbara Myers in the District 3, Subdistrict B in Carson City.