Letter: School district is in bad shape

Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002 | 9 a.m.

As a 23-year teacher with the Clark County School District and father of two children currently attending Clark County School District schools, it saddens me to see the Clark County School District's current state of affairs.

Veteran teachers and administrators are leaving in record numbers, instructional programming lacks uniformity, funding and purpose, zoning is a constant struggle for good families trying to provide continuity with their children's education, a uniform discipline plan is nonexistent, and budgeting is out of control, without clarity and without accountability.

In the midst of all this turmoil, the biggest obstacle has become the growing feeling of hopelessness by all the "little people" who have made this school district work successfully in the past and who've come to realize their ideals for improving our schools are not shared by the few empowered to make change.

The majority of us have learned it is easier to keep quiet, without fear of reprisal, and continue working within the current state of affairs, than try to make a difference, sharing ideas and speaking out, only to be labeled a non-team player.

But make no mistake, the vast majority of committed, hard-working school personnel realize the overwhelming need for constructive reform within our district if our schools are to successfully survive.

Perhaps the time will come when circumstances mandate significant, positive change, but until that time we wait and watch as those empowered to make change don't.

BART BOULTON