Legislator eyes pair of reforms in state education

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001 | 10:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Bills to erode the class-size reduction program in the primary grades of public schools and to strip the state Board of Education of its power to name the superintendent of public instruction were introduced Wednesday by Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks.

Washington said a demonstration project in the Elko County School District -- in which classes in grades one through five are 22 students and one teacher -- seems to be working well.

Washington says his bill, Senate Bill 127, would allow other districts to try this approach.

Nevada law now requires class sizes in first and second grades to be 16 students to one teacher and 19 to one in third grade.

Washington said there "has not been a vast improvement" since the class-size reduction program was started. But teachers say they find it easier to operate their classrooms and give more individualized instruction, which is especially necessary in "at risk" schools.

It's the teacher, said Washington, who makes the biggest difference in the achievement of children.

The second bill, SB128, would have the governor name the state superintendent of public instruction rather than the state Board of Education.

Washington said the education policies of the governor and the superintendent should coincide. At present the superintendent is appointed by and answerable to the elective state Board of Education. And this sometimes results in differences between the education board and the administration.

Asked if Gov. Kenny Guinn supported this switch, Washington said, "He seems to be in agreement with the idea." He said he has talked with Guinn about the change.

But David Sheffield, president of the state Board of Education, said he talked with Guinn last Saturday. He quoted the governor as saying he would not push the bill to give him the appointment authority.

"The governor thinks Jack McLaughlin will do a good job," Sheffield said, referring to the new superintendent who was appointed recently.

Washington said the governor draws up the executive budget. If the superintendent was appointed by the governor, it would make it a more cohesive presentation, he said.

Sheffield disagreed, saying the board sets long-range goals -- five and 10 years. That could change every time a new governor was elected. And local school districts would also have to change their policies to fit the directive of the governor.

The state education board represents a wide spectrum of voters, said Sheffield.

A similar bill was introduced in 1999 and it died. Sheffield said he didn't think this bill would go far in this Legislature.

Under the bill, McLaughlin's term would expire Dec. 31. The governor would then be free to reappoint McLaughlin or name another person to a three-year term.

Sheffield said McLaughlin, who took over the first of this month, has moved his family to Nevada from California and was appointed to a three-year term.