Editorial: Spotlight on candidates who seek education seats

Monday, Oct. 23, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

T he Clark County School District, with 34,000 employees and a student enrollment exceeding 300,000, is the fifth largest in the nation. Policy for the district is set by the nonpartisan, seven-member School Board. Three seats on the board, representing Districts E, F and G, are being contested this election.

It is important that those who sit on the School Board be open to new ideas while remaining committed to a stable and ever-improving learning environment. They should be independent enough to speak out for needed changes. At the same time they should understand the necessity of working effectively with fellow board members and the superintendent. Additionally, candidates should be good communicators, representing parents' concerns at the district level, and the district's concerns at the state level.

Terri Janison, a 12-year resident of Las Vegas, was appointed a year ago to represent District E. She has served in volunteer capacities with the School District and has a background in advertising and marketing. Her children, ages 10 and 12, are students in the district.

Janison and other board members have worked with Superintendent Walt Rulffes on some needed changes, including a pilot program to study progress in schools with more empowered principals. We believe Janison adds a strong voice for students and will be effective as the board seeks ways to improve academic achievement.

The Sun endorses Terri Janison.

District F's seat became open when board member Susan Brager resigned to run for the County Commission.

Carolyn Edwards, a retired social worker, has lived in Las Vegas since 1992. For years she has been attending School Board meetings and voluntarily serving on various district committees.

Her opponent in this race is Sonia Joya, state director for Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. She is a knowledgeable candidate with good ideas about making parents feel more welcome at board meetings and in the schools.

Although both candidates have a lot to offer, we are most impressed by Edwards' depth of knowledge about the funding and academic issues confronting the district. She supports stricter conduct standards and more basic teaching methods that were in place decades ago.

The Sun endorses Carolyn Edwards.

Sheila Moulton is the incumbent in District G. She has served all through the current federal schools initiative called No Child Left Behind, a period that required many adjustments and one that has seen numerous locally and federally initiated changes that are just now beginning to gel.

Moulton points to the fact that 52 percent of the district's 331 schools achieved federal recognition as making adequate yearly progress, or AYP, this year, an increase from 33 percent last year. We believe Moulton, who supports all-day kindergarten, empowerment schools, extended class-size reduction, more parental involvement in education and increased training opportunities for teachers, has earned a third term.

The Sun endorses Sheila Moulton.