Editorial: Our choices for education

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 | 9:14 a.m.

BOARD OF REGENTS

The Board of Regents, which oversees the University and Community College System of Nevada, has been mired in controversy for the past few years. Things have improved in recent months, however, as interim Chancellor Jim Rogers has infused the university system with his strong leadership -- not always easy when dealing with an elected 13-member Board of Regents that often has been unwieldy and meddlesome to the point of distraction. With that context in mind, our endorsements follow in the two Board of Regents' elections that will be held in Clark County this November:

Steve Sisolak, who is running for re-election in District 7, has been an effective advocate on behalf of students, working to keep tuition costs as low as possible. He also led the way in getting refunds to students whom the university system had at one time wrongly deemed as not qualifying for in-state tuition, which is less than for out-of-state students. Sisolak also has supported Rogers on some key issues, such as giving the chancellor more autonomy. Sisolak offers some stability on a board that all too often has been a sea of instability. The Sun endorses Steve Sisolak.

In District 13, incumbent Tom Kirkpatrick didn't receive enough votes in the primary to make it to the general election. Instead, attorneys James Dean Leavitt and Gloria J. Sturman will face each other. Leavitt is articulate, well-versed on the issues and would bring enthusiasm to the board. Sturman is knowledgeable, too, and she has a proven leadership background -- she has been president of the State Bar of Nevada and has been president of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. Both candidates have shown they're committed to being a positive force for change on the board and we believe the voters would be well served by whoever wins. The Sun endorses both James Dean Leavitt and Gloria J. Sturman.

CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

School Board members Mary Beth Scow, Ruth L. Johnson, Shirley Barber and Denise Brodsky all are seeking re-election. Scow, who represents District A, has 9 children and is a community volunteer. Scow knows that our schools need more financial assistance, but she nevertheless believes that progress is being made and that students are learning more. Johnson, who represents District B, is a freelance designer and community volunteer. Among Johnson's top priorities are increasing accountability throughout the School District and improving student achievement. She also believes the district should continue working on making sure that the construction of new schools is completed on time and under budget. Barber, who represents District C, is a retired schoolteacher and principal. She would like to see teacher pay increased and more done to reduce any funding ine quities between schools. Brodsky, who is manager of community development for United Way, represents District E. In additio! n to stressing fiscal accountability for the School District, she has been at the forefront in getting the School District to curb smoking on school campuses and put limits on the sale of junk food to students.

The four School Board incumbents have varying backgrounds, but all are committed to improving education. In light of the limited funding the Legislature has provided the School District, coupled with the huge influx of new students that has created a strain on public schools, we believe that the School Board and Superintendent Carlos Garcia have done an excellent job. The Sun endorses Mary Beth Scow, Ruth L. Johnson, Shirley Barber and Denise Brodsky.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Sharon Frederick is running to fill a vacancy created when current board member Theresa Malone decided against re-election in District 1. Frederick, an administrator at a private technical college, wants to make sure that the curriculum in public schools matches the state's proficiency exam, so that the topics taught are actually on the test. Frederick, importantly, has an excellent command of the tough issues facing our educational system. The Sun endorses Sharon Frederick.