Janison advances in District E School Board race

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 | 10:40 p.m.

Sun Topics

Primary election expanded coverage

Sun archives

Archive of Sun politics stories

Incumbent Terri Janison swept to an easy victory Thursday, advancing to the general election with just over 50 percent of the vote for the District E School Board seat.

With 82 percent of precincts reporting, Janison had recorded 50.8 percent of the vote.

Las Vegas Metro Police Officer John Schutt, a 10-year veteran of the force, was a distant second with 19.3 percent. But that’s still good enough to advance to the general election.

Janison could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. Her endorsements include the teachers and support employees unions, the Southern Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs and Citizens for Responsible Government.

Schutt, making his first bid for public office, said he’s concerned that Metro officers are being taken out of high-crime areas and sent to police schools.

“Clark County taxpayers are being double-billed for the same services,” said Schutt, who has two sons attending district schools. “We need a feasibility study to look at the function of school police, and whether they are really serving the district and the community.”

Janison, a longtime school volunteer and mother of two district students, was appointed to the board in 2005 following Denise Brodsky’s resignation. Janison handily won the 2006 election to finish the two years remaining on her predecessor’s original term. Earlier this year she received a lifetime achievement award from the National PTA. Issues related to student health, nutrition and fitness are among her top priorities.

Summerlin resident Steve Greco, making his second attempt to defeat Janison, finished third with 15.33 percent. Caroline Sanchez-Rangen was fourth with 14.61 percent.

Discussion: 1 comment so far…

By stevewsanson

9/6/08 at 9:16 p.m.

Suggest removal

Let’s get serious folks are you happy with the “status quo” we rank 49th in the United States. I am not blaming the incumbent for this, but I look at the character of the incumbent. Not naming a school after a fallen Nevada Veteran, keeping the media away from veterans at the School Naming Committee. Manipulating the public by blaming “policy”, but one can abstain from a vote, not Janison, she voted against the men and women that give her and her families these freedoms.

Janison criticized Shutt by saying he is new and she is experienced, let’s not forget she was appointed and she knew absolutely nothing about being a Trustee until she was actually doing the job. It’s like the pot calling the cattle black. I am really tired about people that use their position to get ahead, back room deals and treats with union heads to gain an endorsement. Voting on construction companies contracts and then taken campaign contributions from them without public making a statement to the board.

We can all overlook this and say well, it’s okay. However, this person is supposed to be a role model for our children and this is what we as parents are teaching our kids. Let’s just look the other way. It’s sad to know that we place friendship with strangers ahead of the moral standards for our children. If you are happy with the “status quo” vote for this incumbent and keep your mouth shut. If not what do you have to lose with John Shutt Jr. a Las Vegas Police Officer with a degree, “hmm” is that scary or is that a fresh start for the 49th ranking school district in the nation?

Mr. Shutt is not hiding from you folks he is standing up to corruption; it’s just too bad we have to find out about this in an election cycle. Let’s stop being the voters of yesterday and go with a common name, smiling face, or someone that knows how to smile in your face and stab you in your back. Look at my user name it’s my name, I am not hiding from anyone and I stand behind Mr. Shutt and we at the Veterans In Politics International feel that you should too.
Steve Sanson

« Previous Ten Next Ten »

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question