Editorial: Put students ahead of political agendas

Monday, June 3, 2002 | 8:55 a.m.

Educators, including Clark County Superintendent Carlos Garcia, have been convincing in their arguments that the Nevada Legislature needs to greatly increase education spending. National surveys show Nevada lags well behind even what could be considered average per-pupil spending.

That's why Wendell Williams remarks last week are aggravating. Williams chairs the Assembly's Education Committee and should be a leader in pushing for more funding for our students. Thursday, however, he said he would not support additional funding unless there is a private audit of the $3.5 billion bond issue passed in 1998 to build and renovate Clark County schools. Although the state audits the bond money every year, we would not be opposed to a private audit if Williams or anyone else could prove the need. So far they haven't. Even if the need were shown, however, we could never support Williams' tactic. It's just dead wrong for someone in Williams' position to hold the needs of students hostage for any reason.

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