Board elects to make a quick pick for president

Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 | 7:39 a.m.

Thursday's elections for officers of the Clark County School Board set a record for brevity -- less than 30 seconds to choose a new president.

Ruth Johnson was unanimously elected for a one-year term on the first ballot with no discussion. The choices of vice president and clerk -- members Sheila Moulton and Susan Brager-Wellman, respectively -- were nearly as quick.

Member Shirley Barber had nominated newcomer Terri Janison as clerk, but Janison, who was appointed by the other board members in October to fill the District E vacancy, asked that her name be withdrawn.

Janison's appointment runs until the general election in September, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the remaining two years of former District E trustee Denise Brodsky's original term.

"I appreciate the support," Janison said. "But I'm still getting my feet wet."

Larry Mason, who had been holding the presidential post, was absent from Thursday's meeting because of a death in his family. Prior to the vote, Johnson offered condolences on behalf of his School Board colleagues.

In an interview with the Sun Wednesday, Mason predicted that he would not be chosen for a second term and that Johnson would succeed him as president.

"If I get a elected again, wonderful -- I'll be glad to serve," Mason said. "If not, no hard feelings."

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As his students launched into their opening number for London's New Year's Day parade, Shadow Ridge High School's marching band director could tell the crowds lining the streets approved of the choice of music.

"Along the parade route we could hear people singing out, 'Viva Las Vegas' when we got to that part," said David Morris, who has been teaching music in Clark County schools for 20 years. "Elvis is alive and well in Great Britain."

Morris accompanied 33 Shadow Ridge students and 70 members of the Coronado High School band on the trip. The schools were two of 22 American campuses invited to participate.

Students washed cars, baked cookies and sold flowers to cover the $2,000 per-person cost of the journey, which included sightseeing trips to Bath and Stonehenge.

All of the students were on their best behavior, Morris said. The only problem arose in their first morning at the hotel when the fire alarm was triggered and all of the guests had to evacuate. It turned out that one of the parent chaperones had blown a fuse using her hair dryer, even with the recommended adapter.

"We were so thankful it was a parent and not a student who tripped the alarm," Morris said with a laugh. "And no, we didn't send her home."

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In discussing plans to entertain the six finalists for the position of superintendent at Thursday's meeting, Brager-Wellman asked what the protocol would be for the two nights of dining out. She noted that after a full day of interviews, school tours and facing inquisitive reporters, some of the candidates might "wish to partake of an alcoholic beverage."

The candidates have already been told that it's against policy to use the district money allocated for the meals to buy booze, said Kathy Harney, one of two consultants hired by the School Board to coordinate the superintendent search.

However, "The policy doesn't apply to consultants," joked Harney, drawing laughter from the board members and audience.

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