‘Names for cash’ could prove costly for district

Monday, Feb. 20, 2006 | 12:34 p.m.

As the School District considers offering up building naming rights in exchange for charitable donations, observers suggest proceeding with caution.

"They have already had some problems naming schools after living people who then go out and get into trouble," said Carolyn Edwards, a longtime education advocate who plans to run for the District F seat when incumbent trustee Susan Brager-Wellman makes her bid for the County Commission.

Two years ago the School Board added language to its regulations, allowing it to retract a name under extraordinary circumstances.

A name may be rescinded if the namesake is later convicted of a felony or a crime involving "moral turpitude," or becomes associated with "illegal, lewd, amoral or violent activity" that might reflect poorly on students, staff or the district at large.

As the Sun reported earlier this week, the district plans to offer naming rights to major donors to the new KLVX Channel 10 technology campus, as well as future business partners in two planned career and technical high schools.

Several callers have since suggested the School Board rectify past mistakes before beginning any "names for cash" ventures.

"Why don't they restore the rightful name to Madison Elementary School?" asked one caller, referring to the campus at 1030 J St. "When they take down 'Wendell P. Williams,' then they can start selling off the schools."

Williams, a former Democratic assemblyman representing Las Vegas, found himself at the middle of the state's double-dipping scandal. He has not been convicted of any crime.

While common in higher education, the district has so far rejected proposals to put the names of major donors on facilities. Some exceptions exist - at the William McCool Science Center at Lamping Elementary School, private donors were allowed to inscribe messages on tablets laid into the walkway. And certain portions of the facility bear plaques honoring the families who contributed to the construction costs.

School Board member Terri Janison said she wants more details of the proposal as well as assurances that certain businesses will be kept away - far away - from students.

In other districts across the nation, McDonald's has managed to secure partnerships by providing funding for physical fitness education, Janison said.

"I have a huge problem with that," Janison said. "The irony in that kind of arrangement is upsetting."

Before being appointed to the School Board in October, Janison served on a legislative study group evaluating Nevada's soaring rate of childhood and adolescent obesity. She also campaigned for stricter regulations of junk food sales to students.

The Council for a Better Nevada's new working group will encourage the development of an "autonomy zone," where principals are given more authority over daily operations in exchange for stricter accountability. The group will also push for better reporting of graduation and dropout rates and offer help with the next bond measure.

The group's executive director, Maureen Peckman, said the Community Alliance to Reform Education's list is far from complete and that representatives from the community at large - and not just the business community - will be encouraged to participate.

Does that include Joyce Woodhouse, director of the district's School-Community Partnership Program, who has yet to be contacted by the council?

Absolutely, Peckman said.

"The CARE coalition is just that - a community coalition, not a business coalition," Peckman said.

When told that the Council for a Better Nevada had formed a new working group under the acronym "CARE," the executive director of the Clark County Education Association was less than impressed.

"I guess they'll just keep changing their name until they get what they want," said John Jasonek, whose organization represents the majority of the district's teachers.

Emily Richmond can be reached at 259-8829 or at emily@lasvegassun.com.