Business’ influence in schools source of contention

By Emily Richmond

Friday, Feb. 17, 2006 | 12:34 p.m.

The director of a Clark County School District community outreach program has heard about the Council for a Better Nevada's plans to influence the School District by getting business leaders more involved.

In fact Joyce Woodhouse, who has been director of the district's School-Community Partnership Program since 1989, has a few ideas of her own to share.

But so far, no one from the council has asked to tap into her most valuable resource - a Rolodex filled with the names of hundreds of businesses that have been quietly helping district schools for decades.

"No, I haven't heard from them yet," Woodhouse said Thursday. "I would welcome the chance to talk with them and show them everything that we've been doing."

The Council for a Better Nevada, a coalition of business leaders that was formed last year, has a more pointed agenda than does the long-standing community partnership. In the name of the business community, the council wants to reshape the district by influencing the School Board and district officials.

Maureen Peckman, executive director of the council, said her organization has created a working group of business representatives, known as the Community Alliance to Reform Education. It intends to push the district to create an "autonomy zone," in which principals and teachers will be given more control over daily operations in exchange for agreeing to stricter accountability standards.

CARE includes interim Superintendent Walt Rulffes; Dan Goulet, chief executive of the United Way of Southern Nevada; Punam Mathur, vice president of diversity for MGM Mirage; and representatives from the Latin, Asian and Urban chambers of commerce.

Peckman said she asked Rulffes for suggestions of individuals to invite into CARE. Rulffes could not be reached for comment Thursday.

"I'm just so encouraged by how many organizations want to be a part of this," Peckman said. "We're seeing tremendous interest from the business community in getting more involved in what's happening in our schools."

The autonomy zone concept arose as the district considered the application of Eric Nadelstern to become schools superintendent. Nadelstern oversees the New York City Department of Education's autonomy zone. He was recruited by the council to apply for superintendent, but withdrew late in the selection process, angering members of the council who charged that School Board incompetence drove him away.

In New York City, business leaders mentor school administrators to prepare them for the challenges of overseeing their own budgets. A similar system would need to be in place in Clark County, Peckman said.

As for the School-Community Partnership Program, Peckman said, she would rely on Rulffes to ensure her group did not duplicate efforts already under way in the district.

Woodhouse herself was part of one of the first official school-business partnerships. In 1983 R&R Advertising, now R&R Partners, adopted Vegas Verdes Elementary School, where Woodhouse was teaching first grade.

Current participants in the program range from Station Casinos, which donates about $500,000 a year to needy campuses, to an 85-year-old woman, mother of a Palm Mortuary manager, who knits hats for students at C.C. Ronnow-Edison Elementary School.

Another participant is American Premier Homes, which adopted Cahlan-Edison Elementary School several years ago, said the company's office manager, Kathy Paz.

The company's involvement has expanded from financial donations to employees serving as classroom aides and field trip chaperones.

"More businesses need to get involved," Paz said. "These kids are our future."

Station Casinos is by far the largest contributor to the public schools, Woodhouse said. For the 2001-02 academic year, the company donated more than $400,000, plus thousands of dollars more in supplies, equipment and prizes for improved grades and attendance.

Lesley Pittman, Station Casinos government relations vice president, said her organization has not yet been asked to take part in the CARE working group. But Peckman asked to meet next week and the topic is expected to come up, Pittman said.

"We would support the entire business community, whether it's longstanding companies or new arrivals, getting engaged in the dialogue and exchange of ideas," Pittman said. "As for the working group, we would be pleased to have a seat at the table."

John Jasonek, executive director of the Clark County Education Association, suggested members of Council for a Better Nevada "roll up their sleeves and actually work in a classroom."

"Instead of trying to be power brokers, why don't they be worker bees?'' asked Jasonek, who has been invited to represent the teachers' union on CARE's working group.

There are already enough legislative committees, councils, working groups and coalitions discussing what's wrong with the county's public schools, Jasonek said.

"It's the same old song. How about a little less talk and a lot more action," Jasonek said.

Jim Sesto, principal of Lois Craig Elementary School, said anyone with doubts about the commitment of local businesses to the cause of public education need only stop by his North Las Vegas campus. Students carry backpacks filled with supplies donated by Business Bank of Nevada and many wear coats and clothing that has also been donated.

"As a school, we get funding for basic textbook supplies and can take care of our kids' instructional needs," Sesto said. "We look to our business partners to help our children so they don't have to think about their shoes that don't fit or clothes that are torn or that they don't have a jacket and it's cold out."

During a recent visit, two bank employees asked Sesto what he needed. When he told them the supply of socks and underwear had run low, they headed to Target. Within 90 minutes they had returned, loaded down with items.

"These gals did it out of the goodness of their hearts," Sesto said. "They weren't spending the bank's money, they were spending their own money."

Woodhouse said while cash donations are always welcome, it's the volunteers who often make the biggest difference.

"The people who donate their talent and their time, you can't put a price tag on that," Woodhouse said.

Emily Richmond can be reached at 259-8829 or at [email protected].