Editorial: More schools needed

Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 3:59 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

February 12 - 13, 2005

Since Clark County's growth began in earnest in the late 1980s, voters have approved -- in 1988, 1994, 1996 and 1998 -- bond sales by the school district to finance the rehabilitation of older schools and the construction of new schools. More than $5 billion was raised and nearly 200 schools were built under the watch of former Superintendent Brian Cram. Imagine the crisis today had those ballot questions not been approved. The district, with more than 280,000 students, is now the fifth largest in the country.

Last week district officials reminded voters that growth has not stopped -- 12,000 new students are being added every year. They gave early notice that voters will be asked to approve another bond issue, in 2008, so there will be enough classrooms for the decade ahead. Approval of a $3.5 billion bond issue, enough money to build 72 new schools, would allow the district to keep pace with projected growth.

There are many growth-related problems confronting the school district. But it has not had to experience the worst imaginable -- nowhere to put an overflow of thousands of students. We hope voters continue with their foresight.