Editorial: Bill works against education equality

Wednesday, March 7, 2001 | 8:56 a.m.

We think the Clark County School District gives students plenty of opportunity to switch schools. Students have 12 options for variances so that they can attend classes outside their zone. There is no need to change that process, which is why we oppose a bill sponsored by state Sen. Maurice Washington, a Sparks Republican.

His Senate Bill 149 would allow parents to apply to their school board so that their children can attend classes in other zones if there is space to accommodate them. But the bill does not permit school district transportation for such students, leaving that up to the parents. This puts low-income families at a disadvantage because they are less likely to have access to the transportation that would allow their students to switch schools.

Another problem with the bill is that it would require students who switch schools to maintain a certain grade point average. That could inadvertently create a situation where academically talented students are concentrated in particular schools, leaving others behind.

We need to make public schools as equal as possible, which is why we believe SB149 goes in the wrong direction.

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