Walt Rulffes

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 | 10:07 a.m.

1. We have to deal with hurdles to student achievement. Public eduction needs to be more creative for the economy to be more competitive. We have to prepare students to succeed in the workplace.

2. We've already put in place a regional concept. Our initial surveys found that the public feared more layers, more bureaucracy. But later surveys have found growing support for the regional offices than for the central office.

3. It's a good concept, but it's a law that needs some revision. It has to be more holistic and reflect that urban districts have some problems suburban districts don't have.

4. I'd probably devote it to performance incentives for recruiting teachers, or for schools that have performed well or need remediation, or to reduce class sizes.

5. I would provide supplemental help for schools in need. The short term would be assistance for students to pass the proficiency test. We need more technology applications to supplement support in classrooms.

6. We want to pursue an educational system in Southern Nevada that would be recognized as world class. We would want to have joint ventures with the community and other educational systems to all work toward the common goal of high-achieving students.

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