Brager-Wellman heads School Board

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 | 9:36 a.m.

Thursday night's election of the 2004 Clark County School Board president was quick and relatively smooth in comparison to last year.

That election led to allegations of racism after the board voted to keep its incumbent president, denying member Shirley Barber the chance to be the first black member to hold the post.

This year, Barber, who has been a board member since 1996, was again denied the presidency but she did not protest the decision.

With a 5-2 vote, the board elected Susan Brager-Wellman as this year's president. Barber and board member Larry Mason cast the dissenting votes. Brager-Wellman replaces Sheila Moulton, who served two consecutive terms as the board's presiding officer.

Before the board settled on Brager-Wellman, however, the nomination of Barber died with a 3-4 vote. Mason was defeated by a 3-4 vote.

The board moved on to elect Mason vice president.

Mason, a trustee since 1994, was elected by a 6-1 vote, with Moulton dissenting. During his prior years on the board, Mason has served as a president, vice president, and clerk.

Member Mary Beth Scow, who has been a board member since 1996, was elected clerk on a 4-1 vote with two abstentions.

Also, Carla Steinforth was announced as the new northwest regional superintendent. She will now oversee seven high schools, one alternative high school, 10 middle schools, and 38 elementary schools.

Steinforth raised her hands and smiled in excitement as her name was announced, while board members and those present gave her a round of applause.