Not all schools in Clark County underperform

Wendy J. Merrill, Las Vegas

Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.

I am a parent with two children in Clark County schools. I am extremely satisfied with the quality of education they are receiving.

Therefore, I read the Las Vegas Sun’s Friday story, about the conclusions of the report “Nevada, 50th in the Nation for Education,” with alarm. I moved to Las Vegas from Silicon Valley, where my children attended public schools that were not as high quality as the schools my children attend here.

The issue in Nevada’s education is not the amount of funding, it is the quality of education. Quality is achieved by excellence in teaching and administration.

My daughter attends Liberty High School, and is receiving an education that will allow her to attend the college of her choice and pursue any high-paying profession she chooses. Liberty operates on the same budget as every other high school in this School District.

My son attends the Coral Academy of Science, a charter school that regularly attains prestigious science awards. Coral operates on the same state funding per pupil as every other school in Clark County, but it produces a different educational experience.

Throwing more money at a broken system simply makes the broken system spend more money. It doesn’t improve the intangibles that educate students.