Edison on the move: Education firm setting up shop in seven schools

Terry Webster

Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 | 9:25 a.m.

Just four months after the School Board approved its contract, Edison Schools is moving into Clark County.

Toting everything from science kits to reading and mathematics materials, movers Thursday began bringing in curriculum supplies at Charles I. West Middle School, one of seven schools in the district that will be managed by Edison.

Edison supplies schools with its own curriculum. All Nevada curriculum requirements also will be met.

Another trademark of Edison is dividing students into "houses," each with its own theme.

The themes for West will include wisdom, justice, hope, compassion, respect, integrity and responsibility.

"There will be a role model and a symbol for each one," said Eva Simmons, a retired administrator serving as a project manager at West.

Additionally, students will be required to wear navy blue and white school uniforms.

Edison also will provide computers in the first year for teachers, followed by take-home laptops for students' families in its second year of operation.

"The computers didn't arrive today, but they will be coming," Simmons said.

The School Board in April approved a five-year pact with Edison to operate Cahlan, Crestwood, Lincoln, Lynch, Park and Ronnow elementary schools in addition to West.

The agreement allows Edison to take over the district's state aid to run the schools, an amount valued at approximately $35 million.

In turn, the firm estimates the value of the start-up supplies for all of the seven schools in Clark County at $10.5 million.

Edison will be moving curriculum supplies into all of remaining schools prior to the district's start of school Aug. 30. Although managed by Edison, the schools will remain a part of the Clark County School District.

But before Edison officially opens, teachers will attend school -- a week long academy on how to teach the program. Training sessions have already been held for administrators.

And it doesn't end there, said Catherine Rodriguez, an Edison project manager.

Teachers receive additional training throughout the year -- at least 45 minutes per day.

Edison, which manages 113 schools with more than 57,000 students, has had mixed reviews in various cities throughout the country.

Concerns being aired nationally about Edison's performance in other districts throughout the country were raised here when school officials first considered the program.

Employee groups, concerned about the firm's requirement to have teachers re-apply for their jobs, opposed Edison.

Additionally, parents and community members complained that they felt left out of the decision-making process.

"I think we need to give Edison a chance because there is such a learning gap," School Board member Shirley Barber said.