Candidate criticizes purchase of SUV

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Friday, June 25, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

Several members of the Clark County School Board on Thursday defended the district's purchase of $29,888 sport utility vehicle for Superintendent Carlos Garcia, calling it an appropriate and reasonable expense.

Ryan Devins, a mortgage broker hoping to unseat Denise Brodsky for the District E seat on the School Board, argued that $7,300 in "extras" for the Ford Explorer XLT were both unnecessary and insulting. An itemized bill from the dealership lists a six-CD sound system, four-wheel drive and third-row seating among the additional items.

Devins, who first raised the issue at last week's School Board meeting, said he has filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission over the purchase.

While most of the School Board members suggested enough time had been spent discussing the purchase Shirley Barber -- one of Garcia's most vocal critics since his hiring four years ago -- demanded an internal investigation.

Barber, who faces six challengers on the November ballot for her District C seat, said the budget approved by the School Board last month should have mentioned a request for the superintendent's new SUV.

"I think it is wrong and unconscionable of you, Mr. Garcia, to spend $7,500 on luxury items for your personal comfort when we have kids who don't have books and can't afford to eat breakfast or lunch," Barber said, reading from a prepared statement. "This is outrageous. And for what we pay you, you can afford your own luxury package."

It's standard procedure in districts throughout the country to provide the superintendent with a car, as Garcia's contract calls for, responded School Board President Susan Brager-Wellman. The superintendent earns $212,242 annually.

"I'm not appalled," Brager-Wellman said. "People can pick apart every little thing, but it just takes our time away from what really matters: the business of educating our kids."

Walt Rulffes, deputy superintendent of operations for the district, said the SUV was purchased as part of a bulk order of $20 million in new vehicles, including $17.5 million for school buses and $2.5 million for new police cars. The district was able to get a deal on the SUV by using a bid negotiated by state officials and the purchase was handled by the business office, not the superintendent, Rulffes said.

"The only thing he (Garcia) asked for was the third seat," Rulffes said. "I regret now that we've put Mr. Garcia in this position because he really had very little to do with it."

Debbie Smith, president of the Snyder Elementary School PTA, said Devins' comments amounted to political grandstanding.

"It's not fair because they have to sit there and take it and he can use that as free advertising," Smith said. "He's not interested in improving education for our children, he just wants to promote himself."