Board refuses to limit Garcia

Emily Richmond and Mary Manning

Friday, May 13, 2005 | 10:02 a.m.

Clark County School Board member Shirley Barber called for terminating Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia's contract Thursday night, but the rest of the School Board refused to conduct such a discussion in a closed session.

Barber addressed the media before the start of the board meeting, saying Garcia should not be allowed to hire or fire anyone or spend any more money before he leaves on July 13.

Garcia has been superintendent for five years and announced last month that he would be leaving the district for a position with McGraw-Hill Cos. as vice president of urban markets.

Barber had placed an agenda item for Thursday's meeting that "clearly specified limitations on the superintendent's authority" through his departure.

"It's time for this Clark County School District to wake up," Barber said. "We're not here to play games."

Barber and representatives of several black community groups contended that the superintendent's authority to make any long-term commitments needed to be curtailed.

The Rev. Jesse Scott said that a new superintendent needs to ensure students learn at all levels.

"Why can kids leave school and cannot read at grade level?" Scott asked. "Something is wrong."

Scott and others called for a superintendent with a doctorate in education.

For longtime resident Lucille Cleveland Bryant, the ideal superintendent candidate would be a woman. "I certainly hope you will broaden your search and consider a woman," she said.