Editorial: Sold to highest bidder

Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 | 7:31 a.m.

The Clark County School District is offering individual and corporate donors the privilege of naming certain school facilities, such as bookstores and computer rooms.

According to a story by the Las Vegas Sun on Thursday, a $500,000 donation buys the right to place one's name on the school bookstore at campuses such as the new Virtual High School. A $250,000 check puts the donor's name on the media library.

Donations that come with naming rights are not accepted, however, for elementary, middle and comprehensive high schools. And naming rights are not extended for any school theaters or athletic fields.

But a revised district policy allows high-stakes donations in exchange for naming at nondistrict facilities for which private donations have paid at least 30 percent, the Sun reports. This includes features of career and technical education high schools, alternative schools and magnet schools. Those who give the entire 30 percent can name laboratories or whole wings after themselves.

District officials told the Sun that the practice is routinely used by universities and nonprofit organizations, and can pay for specialized programs and equipment that Clark County's perpetually cash-strapped School District cannot afford.

While it is highly laudable that individuals or corporations would donate such generous sums to improve our public schools, we are dismayed that adequately funding education has come down to such commercialization. What does this practice say about our priorities? It says we don't care enough.

Public schools are places to learn, not venues in which corporations polish their images. A Nevada Taxpayers Association official told the Sun that she hopes the district will use some discretion to avoid any embarrassing nominations - such as a library sponsored by a strip club.

At the very least, sponsors should be strictly screened. But we would rather see the Nevada Legislature provide adequate funding so that our schools don't have to resort to selling ad space in the first place.