Gallagher launches effort to return to board of regents

Thursday, May 6, 2004 | 9:51 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Dorothy Gallagher, who served 22 years on the board of regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada, has filed for election to return, saying she wants to restore credibility to the board.

Gallagher of Elko resigned two years ago and her friend, Marcia Bandera of Elko, was appointed to succeed her. Bandera has decided not to seek election.

"It is important for rural Nevada to have a strong representative," said Gallagher, who would represent 11 rural counties in the non-paying job.

The board of regents has been mired in controversy for the past year and Gallagher said "the impression is not very good. Higher education is so important and it is not being treated that way."

The regents, she said, are not getting along and are getting a lot of bad publicity. "I would hope we could get together and make the board something people could be proud of."

She said she read the 1,026-page report on the problems at the Community College of Southern Nevada and added that the board of regents should have allowed former President Ron Remington and school lobbyist John Cummings to present their side.

On the hiring of television magnate Jim Rogers as interim chancellor of the system, Gallagher said, "Given a chance I think he can good a good job. He will need good back up in academic advisors.

"He's smart to have somebody and to listen to them," said Gallagher.

Bandera, a former Elko County school superintendent, could not be reached on why she has declined to run for election.