Editorial: Time to build a new Rancho High School

Thursday, March 27, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.

The principal of Rancho High School, Robert Chesto, makes a good case for tearing the building down and starting over. The school is 49 years old and is no longer worth the time and money for the extensive repairs that it needs. Chesto says the school is "ancient, outdated and outmoded." He's right on all counts. Rancho students deserve a building modern enough to accommodate the high-tech teaching accessories that other high schools enjoy.

Building a new school for Rancho students would not add to the burden that Nevada taxpayers already face as the Legislature wrestles with a $700 million deficit and proposals for new and higher taxes. Assembly Bill 396, which was passed Monday by the Assembly Education Committee, would allow the Clark County School District to use money already approved by voters. The money would come from a bond issue passed in 1998, primarily for building new schools as opposed to replacing existing schools. A pilot program approved earlier by the Legislature, however, approved $90 million to replace five schools. Four have been replaced for $58.8 million. The balance of $31.2 million could replace an elementary school, but Rancho's condition poses a greater need.

Assembly Bill 396 would expand the pilot program to allow another $44 million for the reconstruction of Rancho, which is expected to cost $75 million. We support this bill. Rancho students, not to mention the taxpayers who have been funding repairs, have put up with this old building long enough.