LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 | 7:06 a.m.

Clark County School District Police recruits had to dig through racks of dirty, discarded uniforms to find appropriate attire for official portraits.

Orders of new clothing were held up, so old clothing was dry-cleaned and tailored. It was embarrassing, said Phil Gervasi, president of the Clark County School Police Officers Association.

More troubling: the shortage of bulletproof vests.

"We hired these people, we're paying a full salary and yet we can't use them because they don't have what they need to go out on the street," Gervasi said.

Officers must be issued a vest before they can be assigned to duty. The vest order has been filled and Arroyo said all new officers should have basic uniforms by the start of school Aug. 27.

The district switched to a new uniform supplier and went to an automated request system, which delayed orders, said School Police Capt. Phil Arroyo, who's sharing the interim chief duties after the departure of Hector Garcia this month.

Fulfillments of requests by other officers for replacement clothing are still lagging .

Ron Montoya, owner of American Shooters uniform supply in Las Vegas, said he was surprised last fall when he lost the School Police contract. Stuck with about $10,000 in inventory, he volunteered to help out when he learned his competitor was having difficulty filling orders.

"What are you going to do with shirts that say CCSD Police on the back?" Montoya said. "Give 'em to Goodwill?"

When is the first day of school? What if I haven't registered my child yet? How do I find out where the bus stop is ?

Back-to-school issues will take center stage at 8 tonight on "School Matters," the Clark County School District's call-in program on Vegas PBS Channel 10.

School Board President Ruth Johnson, board member Terri Janison, Superintendent Walt Rulffes and Deputy Superintendent Lauren Kohut-Rost will be on hand to answer questions phoned in by viewers.

Questions will also be accepted by e-mail until about 5 p.m. To submit questions, go to http://ccsd.net and complete the online form.

"I like the fact that we are getting people to call in to ask the questions I don't know we would have the opportunities to answer otherwise," Janison said. "The community needs to see the School Board as human beings, and not just elected officials making decisions. It puts us in a different light."

While school officials answer questions, district staff is frantically processing paperwork in advance of the first day of school Monday .

The district expects to transport nearly 100,000 students on the first day of the new academic year, although thousands have yet to register for bus service. To verify eligibility or sign up online, go to http://ccsd.net/transportation, or call 799-8100.

Students may also qualify for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program. Applications are available at schools or by calling (800) 819-7556. Families must re-register for the new academic year, even if their children were signed up last year.

As new teachers gathered at Cox Pavilion last week to learn more about the district, lucky attendees to Wednesday's luncheon also learned something about the School Board president.

Ruth Johnson is a Trekkie?

Johnson professed her devotion to "Star Trek," telling the amused audience that i t has long been one of her favorite programs. What she likes best about it is that the Starship Enterprise's "critical mission was learning."

She then got a bit off track recounting a Klingon warrior's inspirational words before voyaging into battle in a particularly memorable episode , but the underlying message came through: Make every day count.

"Live long and prosper," answered one new teacher between bites of his salad.