Clark County School District, C

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004 | 3:35 a.m.

Of the four incumbents, Clark County School Board's District C member, Shirley Barber, faces the most challengers, with five seeking to unseat her.

Barber, 69, is a retired school administrator who holds a master's degree in elementary education. She spent 28 years working in schools and was inducted into the Clark County School District Hall of Fame.

Barber said ensuring equity among schools, holding top-level administrators accountable and providing teachers with the appropriate resources and support are her priorities.

Ernest del Casal, 53, is a longtime Las Vegas resident who is raising two grandchildren. A consultant, del Casal said he would be an advocate for the students -- a large number of whom are being raised by single parent who does not speak English and who are living in poverty.

Tammy Green, 35, is running as part of a four-person slate opposed to policy governance. Green, a Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center graduate, has two children. On her campaign questionnaire she listed her occupations as mother and educational advocate.

On her Web page, Green said testing should be considered a diagnostic tool, not a punishment, and that the state's High School Proficiency Exam and the district's curriculum need to be in better alignment.

Gary Hunter, a local pastor whose age was unavailable, listed as his campaign platform on a Sun questionnaire "to build a community base for education and love for our youth." Hunter's former congregation, the Greater St. James Baptist Church, voted Aug. 1 to have him removed over accusations of theft and sexual harassment.

Jefferson Lee, a Delta Airlines supervisor, unsuccessfully challenged Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly in the last election. Lee, 40, holds a bachelor of science degree in clinical psychology and associate's degrees in sociology and gerontology.

If elected Lee said he would promote more personal interaction among school administration, parents and the student body. He also favors stricter dress codes and school uniforms. Lee said he would also work to lower student-teacher ratios.

Las Vegas attorney Richard Segerblom, who has represented numerous Clark County School District workers in lawsuits against their employer, is making his first bid for public office. Segerblom, 56, has served on the Clark County Legal Aid Society's board and is a Las Vegas Historic Preservation Committee past chairman.

Segerblom said School Board meetings should be televised to increase visibility and public awareness of district issues. He also advocates opening the deliberative process, particularly those related to evaluations of the superintendent's job performance.

Candidate Merietta Oviatt did not respond to Sun inquiries on her background or platform.