Teachers’ union, Edison settle lawsuit out of court

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A settlement has been reached between the schoolteachers' union and the Clark County School District that allows Edison Schools to continue to operate seven schools in Clark County.

The agreement ends a legal challenge the Nevada State Education Association brought against the School District after it hired Edison, a private company, to run the schools.

The union, the Education Support Employees Association of Clark County, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, and Patricia Cunningham had sued over the contract, saying the law allows only for public and charter schools to be financed by public funds. A District Court judge had upheld the contract, and the union had appealed to the Supreme Court.

The settlement calls for advisory committees to evaluate the progress of students in the six elementary schools and one junior high, and to recommend whether the five-year contract should be extended or expanded.

Claudia Briggs, director of communications for the Nevada State Education Association, said a compromise is a better alternative than continuing the legal action.

"It will allow us to better evaluate the management system" of Edison, Briggs said. The settlement, according to Briggs, calls for Edison to exchange such information as student numbers, information on teachers such as their experience, and the support staff in the schools operated by the private firm.

It also sets up two four-member advisory committees designed to gauge the progress of Edison.

One of Edison's obligations is a $10.5 million donation the company promised to the seven schools. Edison fell behind in making the payment but has caught up.

Gloria Sizemore, director of the district's budget department, said Edison made a $4 million payment covering last school year. It has paid $1 million of the $4 million it owes this school year. The next $1 million payment is due in November.