Gibson fails to sway plan for schools CCSD

By Emily Richmond

Tuesday, April 18, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson's intervention in the dispute between the Clark County School District and some residents of a rural neighborhood appears to have been fruitless.

The Henderson City Council is expected to vote today on the district's proposal for a new elementary school at the southeast corner of Paradise Hills Drive and Greenway Road. The site is in a neighborhood marked by the city for extra protection from development to preserve its rural character.

As reported by the Sun, district Superintendent Walt Rulffes met with Gibson last month and was asked to consider alternative locations for the elementary school that are outside the city's Rural Preservation Overlay. District officials say the sites proposed by the city have already been considered and rejected or are earmarked for future schools.

"We can't do any of those other sites without delaying this project by at least a year, and that's why we're moving ahead," said Paul Gerner, associate superintendent of facilities for the School District.

The new school, scheduled to open for the 2007-08 academic year, is needed to relieve overcrowded Walker International Elementary School in nearby Mission Hills.

Walker Principal Alan Bowman said the school's student body has doubled to more than 1,200 since opening in 2002. Of those students nearly 700 live west of Greenway Road and could be zoned to attend the proposed Smalley Elementary School, reducing traffic in the morning and afternoon hours, Bowman said.

Members of the Mission-Paradise Rural Alliance say the new school will interfere with their enjoyment of the outdoors, including the numerous hiking and equestrian trails - a quality of life the city promised it would protect.

Bob Miller Middle School's JV Quiz team is riding high following its third consecutive win in the district's championship round.

After beating Greenspun Junior High School in the finals both last year and in 2004, Miller's team faced off against Sig Rogich Middle School on April 5. With a score a score of 225-95, Miller took the title.

Miller Principal Tam Larnerd said he's so proud of his students that if they manage a four-peat next year, he might consider promising to shave his head.

That's the prize he dangled in 2003 to motivate students to sell at least 40,000 magazines subscriptions in an annual fundraiser. The kids worked hard enough to rake in 57,000 subscriptions and ensure that not only was Larnerd's head shaved, but one dean sacrificed his goatee and another had his legs waxed.

The district's dropout and graduation rates - and the ensuing effect on the community as a whole - are a hot topic right now. That makes an upcoming special broadcast on KLAS Channel 8 both timely and useful.

Wednesday's program will feature a live broadcast with interviews of Sen. Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, and Lauren Kohut-Rost, acting chief academic officer for the district, representing the "Ready for Life" coalition.

"Ready for Life" is an effort by about 100 local organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, the Nevada Public Education Foundation and UNLV. Nevada Partners, of which Horsford is executive director, is also a member of the coalition's steering committee.

Horsford and Kohut-Rost will be interviewed from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and will take calls from viewers. Coverage will continue on Las Vegas ONE, 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Have plans for Saturday?

You are cordially invited to stop by Quannah McCall Elementary School and pick up a paintbrush. In honor of National Youth Service Day, several community groups and a neighboring school will be on site at 800 E. Carey Ave. in North Las Vegas, helping to beautify the area with murals designed by students.

The public is invited to drop in between 8 a.m. and noon to lend a hand, McCall Principal Maria Chairez said.