Breakup of School District is supported by Gibbons

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006 | 6:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons' support for the breakup of the Clark County School District put new prominence on an issue that so far has only languished in the Legislature.

Calling the district a "huge, huge bureaucracy," the GOP's front-runner for governor put the breakup question in the middle of the 2006 campaign and came out as the first gubernatorial candidate in favor of such a move.

"I support the idea that perhaps it's time to break that up into smaller, more manageable school districts," he said Tuesday on the Reno television show "Nevada Newsmakers."

Gibbons' position will likely do more than warm the hearts of some of his supporters. It gives him a Southern Nevada issue that, if couched in terms of improving education, could resonate with many voters.

UNR political scientist Eric Herzik said he didn't see a down side to Gibbons' position.

"To his credit, he is getting out in front on an issue a lot of people don't want to talk about," he said.

Sen. Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, has for some years campaigned in the Legislature to break up the School District.

"God bless him!" Tiffany exclaimed when told of Gibbons' position.

A resolution in the last Legislature to create an interim study on splitting up the district died, but she was able to get $250,000 through to have the state hire a consultant to determine how the district could be divided.

Gibbons' comments could resonate with the Clark County School Board as well. Members are preparing to interview six candidates for the open position of superintendent starting Monday.

On the TV program, Gibbons was asked about his thoughts on the next superintendent.

Rather than bringing in somebody from outside education, Gibbons said, he favored splitting up the School District. "Perhaps that's the answer rather than bringing some person outside of education."

He referred to the large number of students and schools and said "trying to manage it (the district) with one single figure is probably a little bit more than we should have." The School District, the fifth largest in the nation, has an enrollment of 292,000 students.

Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, noted there was a study that looked at breaking up the School District several years ago, and the Legislature did not act on it. She said she would like to see better test scores, better students, better quality and better efficiency.

But she said breaking up the district would result in four inadequate districts with more bureaucracy.

"Instead of deconsolidating, I favor giving more authority to the principals and the regions," she said.

Talking about a new superintendent, Buckley said, "I would love to see a real reformer" with a proven track record. There are lots of good programs in the School District, but some schools "need shaking up," the majority leader said.

The next superintendent should "not be afraid to try things," she said.

In addition to calling for a study of a district breakup, the 2005 Legislature set aside $300,000 to conduct audits of school districts. Initially the plan was to require examinations of some rural districts, but the Legislative Commission decided that the Clark County School District would be audited on its "financial management principles."

Cy Ryan can be reached at (775) 687-5032 or at cy@lasvegassun.com.