Sweeping changes OK’d for schools

Terry Webster

Friday, Feb. 9, 2001 | 11:19 a.m.

The School Board on Thursday approved Superintendent Carlos Garcia's new vision for the Clark County School District, which reflects 17 administrative changes.

Among the changes are two new deputy superintendents and five regional subdistricts.

The school district, the country's sixth largest with 231,000 students, will remain whole. But each region -- northwest, northeast, east, central, southwest and southeast -- will address all issues relating to grades kindergarten through 12. Included in their jurisdictions will be authority over areas such as curriculum, instruction, finance, transportation, facilities, food services, technology, personnel and community involvement.

Each area will have its own central office staffed by regional and assistant regional superintendents. The office's sites, which are not finalized, will be located on school campuses or other existing sites. According to Garcia, his plan, called "Achievement Plus," will provide greater access, achievement and accountability in the district.

Access, Garcia said, means all students have a right to a good education, regardless of where they live.

It also means a reduction in the number of channels people have to go through when they have questions or concerns about the school district.

And the plan will base student curriculum and programs on proven methods, Garcia said.

"If something can't be measured, then it simply didn't happen," he said.

Within each region, administrators will design education programs that meet both district requirements and the needs of their neighborhoods. Additionally, each region will develop plans to measure and account for improvements in student achievement.

Unveiling his plan before the School Board Thursday, Garcia revealved who the key players are in his revised administrative cabinet.

After raising questions about salaries and the selection of the administrators, the School Board unanimously approved the plan, which takes effect July 1.

"One superintendent of a district this size can't be expected to do everything," Garcia said after naming his two top administrators. Walt Rulffes, who will continue to serve as chief financial officer, was appointed deputy superintendent of operations. Agustin Orci, hired last fall as assistant superintendent for elementary education, will become the deputy superintendent for instruction.

In all, Garcia slashed 36 administrative positions worth about $3.8 million and created 30 new ones at a cost of about $3.3 million, for a net savings of around $560,000, according to district figures. School officials recently cut $18 million from this year's $1.1 billion budget by freezing positions and eliminating programs.

Given the district's tight finances, board member Denise Brodsky questioned raises associated with the administrative changes. She asked for increases to be withheld until the administrators' job performance can be evaluated.

Garcia's administrative lineup includes the six administrative changes reported Thursday by the Sun. The following administrative changes, in addition to Rulffes and Orci, were made: