Late Sun exec, three others honored

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 10:22 a.m.

The Clark County School Board approved four names for future campuses Thursday, including an elementary school in memory of Las Vegas Sun columnist and executive Sandra Lee Thompson.

Thompson was killed Aug. 9 when her car was hit from behind at the Las Vegas Beltway and Far Hills Avenue.

A Sun employee for 23 years, Thompson was an advocate for children. Her award-winning reporting and columns resulted in reforms to Nevada's Family Court System and the state's guardianship laws.

The other school names accepted by the board are:

Kathy L. Batterman Elementary School. A Flight for Life nurse for nearly 19 years, Batterman was considered a pioneer of emergency medical services education Nevada. She was killed in the line of duty in 1999.

Wilbur and Theresa Faiss Middle School. Wilbur Faiss, a former state senator, made education one of his legislative priorities, along with civil rights and protection of the environment. His wife, Theresa Faiss, was the 1996 Clark County Pioneer Mother of the Year.

Jay W. Jeffers Elementary School. A teacher and principal in Clark County schools for nearly 30 years, Jeffers was one of the first administrators in the district with an advanced degree. Jeffers formed the district's first elementary string music program and was co-founder and charter member of the Clark County Teachers Federal Credit Union.

The School Board also approved the naming of Centennial High School's football stadium after Carol Leavitt, who retired from this district in July after 35 years. Leavitt served as Centennial's first principal. She also sits on the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Board of Control, which governs school athletics.