Bus costs hinder plan to start school later

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 | 7:11 a.m.

With the Clark County School Board backing away from a proposal to move school start times a half-hour later, board Vice President Sheila Moulton offered up a distinctly Las Vegas wish.

"I could win one of our neighboring states' lotteries so we can buy the buses we need."

District officials estimate it would cost $77 million to operate a separate fleet of buses for high schools, which would allow the district to start the day later for high school students without forcing elementary and middle schools to also shift times.

Studies show the biological clocks of teenagers are unique, that they do not fall into the deepest state of sleep until after midnight, regardless of bedtime. Most of the district's high schools begin at 7 a.m. with early-bird honor classes, band and athletics often starting even earlier.

At a public hearing last week, parents and students voiced numerous concerns, with the most vocal opposition coming from the elementary level because shifting the hours of the school day means children would be walking home in the dark in the winter.

And if the start times were flip-flopped, so that elementary students began at 7 a.m. and high school students at 9 a.m., it could leave some families struggling to find after-school child care.

A final decision is expected by April for the 2006-07 academic year.

The hunt is on to fill two new positions created by Superintendent Walt Rulffes chief financial officer and chief academic officer.

The former is a breakout of duties Rulffes had handled himself as deputy superintendent of operations. The latter will replace the deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction position formerly held by Agustin Orci. Both jobs advertise pay ranges of between $102,864 and $125,028.

There may be more new jobs down the line as Rulffes moves ahead with plans for his "Superintendent's Schools." While in the early stages, Rulffes is exploring ways to set up a version of New York City's "Autonomy Zone." Individual campuses operate with greater independence from central administration in exchange for stricter accountability. The Clark County version might also include magnet schools and campuses implementing extensive reforms.

Community support for decentralizing schools swelled after New York City educator Eric Nadelstern was named a semifinalist for Clark County superintendent. Nadelstern, who oversees New York City's "Autonomy Zone," later withdrew his name for consideration.

After Nadelstern pulled out of the superintendent race, members of the public urged the School Board to hire the veteran New York City educator in some capacity. Rulffes told the Sun he attempted to reach Nadelstern, but received no reply.

"I think that ship has sailed," Rulffes said.

It may not be a dance-off between John O'Hurley and Kelly Monaco, but organizers of an upcoming Staton Elementary School fundraiser are hoping to come close.

"Dancing With the Staton Stars" will hit the floor at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Sig Rogich Middle School, 235 N. Pavilion Center Drive in Summerlin.

Six teachers from the nearby elementary school will partner with professional dancers from the Tony Delgado Dance Studio. Proceeds from the silent auction before the performances will benefit the school's activities.

Three judges, including two internationally ranked ballroom dancers, will award trophies to the top three teams.