Education boards’ changes delayed

Erin Neff

Friday, May 25, 2001 | 11:02 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- An Assembly committee recessed Thursday evening without taking a vote on a plan to redistrict the Board of Regents and state Board of Education.

As a result, Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, can call the Elections, Procedures and Ethics committee back at any time to consider passage of Assembly Bill 664 -- the measure that sets the districts for both education boards.

Since the committee recessed, and did not adjourn, it does not have to post an agenda and can meet quickly "behind the bar" during any Assembly session.

Originally AB 664 drew 10 districts for both the Regents and State Board of Education based on a recommendation by the State Board of Education to reduce its number of seats to 10.

But Regents voiced concern about the 10-district plan contained in AB 664 because they had actually voted to increase their number of districts from 11 to 13.

On Thursday an amended version of AB 664 revealed 11 districts for both the Regents and the Board of Education.

Board of Regent President Thalia Dondero and Regent Linda Howard, testifying from Las Vegas, saw the plans for the first time during Thursday's hearing.

Dondero expressed concern about the plan because it would put her in the same district as Regent Tom Wiesner, who has not said he will not seek re-election.

Jane Nichols, chancellor of the university system, said she was not sure the new plan meets the goals the Regents had in expanding to 13 seats.

The Legislature originally set a self-imposed deadline of today to finish reapportionment for Regents, State Board of Education, Congress, Assembly and Senate seats. However, lawmakers now say they will likely need until the session adjourns June 4 to finish the plans.