Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Our choices for education

Alderman, Edwards and Cranor for Clark County School Board

Improving Nevada’s public education system is crucial and the state needs candidates who support the schools, colleges and universities. A good education system is important to reviving the economy, but those candidates who are elected will find a huge budget deficit facing them next year. The state needs strong advocates for education, starting at the Clark County School Board.

Three of the seven seats on the School Board are up for election. The board will see at least two new faces in those seats as two incumbents are barred from running again due to term limits.

Lorraine Alderman is facing Javier Trujillo in the race for the District D seat, now represented by Larry Mason, who took office in 1993. Alderman is a retired educator. She spent 30 years in the School District as a teacher, principal and administrator. She brings great credentials and knowledge to the race. Trujillo, who lobbies for Henderson, also has a good understanding of the schools. He taught in the schools and created the mariachi music program in the district. Both are likable and good candidates, but Alderman’s experience and understanding gives her the edge. The Sun endorses Lorraine Alderman.

Carolyn Edwards is running for re-election in District F. She was elected in 2006, and she has performed well in her first term. A retired social worker, Edwards has been a strong voice for education over the years. Before her election, she had compiled an impressive record of service to the schools and the community. Edwards served in the PTA, as well as on a variety of community boards. She also spent six years on the school zoning commission, including three terms as chairwoman. As well, having been the parent of children in Clark County’s schools, she has a real understanding of the needs of students and parents. Her experience and knowledge make her the clear choice in this race. The Sun endorses Carolyn Edwards.

Erin Cranor is running for the seat in District G, currently held by the term-limited Sheila Moulton. Cranor brings impressive credentials to the race. She has the practical experience of being a mother of school-age children along with a solid understanding of education. Cranor, a technical writer with a master’s degree in zoology, has been a substitute teacher, and she has been very active in the schools. She has volunteered in various capacities, including the PTA, and she has served as chairwoman of the school zoning commission. She is smart, knowledgeable and well-prepared to take a seat on the board. The Sun endorses Erin Cranor.

Solorio and Corbett for state Board of Education

The Nevada Education Department creates academic standards, provides oversight for charter schools, licenses teachers and makes sure the state’s 17 school districts receive equitable funding. Overseeing the department is the 10-member state Board of Education, which sets policy.

There are two races in Clark County for board seats and both are open seats.

Business consultant Jose Solorio is running for the seat in District 2. A former member of the Clark County School Board, Solorio has a good understanding of education. He has been active in the community and is the best candidate in this race. The Sun endorses Jose Solorio.

In District 5, Stavan Corbett is running against John Tippins. Corbett works for a nonprofit organization and has been a teacher in a charter school. He grew up in Clark County and attended public schools. Tippins is a businessman who has family roots in education — both his parents were educators. Tippins impressed us with his passion for education, but Corbett impressed us more by his knowledge and understanding of the community and of the schools. The Sun endorses Stavan Corbett.

Page, Rawson, Anderson or Newburn, and Leavitt for Board of Regents

The Nevada System of Higher Education is overseen by a 13-member Board of Regents. The system has seven public colleges and universities and is seen as a key in helping spur the economy. It is important that the state has regents who understand the necessity of a strong higher education system. This is a nonpartisan board, and it is worth noting that all of the major candidates said they would support more money going to higher education.

Four regents’ seats in Clark County are up for election.

Kevin Page, a local investment banker, was appointed to the Board of Regents in District 3 last year and is running to finish four years of the six-year term. He is running against Ken Lange, a former educator and teachers union official who runs a local nonprofit organization. Both men come with good qualifications, they both have good ideas and have shown great energy and passion. But in our analysis, Page is the best pick. He is an impressive candidate and comes with a great understanding of the system. Both his undergraduate and his MBA degrees are from UNLV, and he has remained active in the community. Page has a sharp mind and his strong financial background is a plus for the board. The Sun endorses Kevin Page.

Ray Rawson was appointed to the District 7 seat last year after a lengthy career in public service. Rawson spent 20 years in the state Senate, served on the Nevada Gaming Commission, taught at CSN and UNLV and served as a deputy coroner. A dentist, he helped create the dental school at UNLV and has a long history of advocating for and working to improve education. Rawson has the experience, understanding and know-how to help the university system through the current financial crisis. The Sun endorses Ray Rawson.

Andrea Anderson, a retired community college administrator, was appointed to the Board of Regents to represent District 12 last year. She is running to finish the two unexpired years of the six-year term. She has a doctoral degree in education and served two terms on the Boulder City Council. She has a very good knowledge of the system and is running to retain the seat against Mark Newburn. A computer and software consultant, Newburn is sharp and he has worked with major companies and government agencies.

Newburn would bring a unique quality to the board with his technical background. As well, he has practical experience in the system with both an undergraduate and a master’s degree from UNLV. His father, Dan Newburn, worked for the Sun and was a member of the Clark County School Board. And over the years, we’ve known Mark Newburn to be hardworking, creative and talented.

We don’t think voters can go wrong with either of these candidates. The Sun endorses Andrea Anderson and Mark Newburn.

James Dean Leavitt, who was first elected in 2004, is running for re-election in District 13. He has been a good addition to the board. An attorney, he is well-versed in the issues and has been a strong, independent voice for education. Currently in his second term as chairman of the Board of Regents, Leavitt deserves to be re-elected. The Sun endorses James Dean Leavitt.

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