In complaint over Skorkowsky selection, lack of transparency alleged

By Paul Takahashi

Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 8 p.m.

Amid some public concern about the transparency of Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky's appointment on Tuesday, a complaint has been filed with the Nevada Attorney General's Office alleging a violation of the state's open-meeting law.

Michael Bluestein, a private citizen, informed School Board members Thursday that he has filed a complaint against the board, arguing Skorkowsky's late-night appointment was pushed through by three members without clear public notice.

"The process was really shameful and violated the open-meeting law," Bluestein said. "Decisions like that are too important to be pushed through without any debate."

On Tuesday, School Board members appointed Skorkowsky after a one-hour, impromptu interview. The board did not consider any other candidates over the objection of School Board President Carolyn Edwards, who called for another public meeting to vet other local or regional candidates.

"We have to do our due diligence in sorting out whether (Skorkowsky) is the right decision," Edwards said Tuesday night.

School Board members Erin Cranor, Chris Garvey and Linda Young pushed to appoint Skorkowsky immediately. They cited comments from more than a dozen community meetings, public board meetings and an online and paper survey that found widespread support for Skorkowsky over the past two months.

Since the decision, critics have taken issue with Tuesday night's School Board agenda item on the superintendent search, which contained standard language stating the board may take "action regarding all aspects of the search and selection of a new superintendent."

The School District's legal counsel said it did not foresee any problems with the board's appointment of Skorkowsky under that agenda item. The language, it argued, was all encompassing. Under board policy, the School Board has the power to hire a superintendent at any time and use whatever process it deems fit.

However, critics such as Bluestein argued the agenda item was too vague and the appointment process for Skorkowsky was less than transparent. Bluestein argued Skorkowsky's appointment was not clearly notified to the public.

"It was just wrong," he said.

Others at Thursday's meeting applauded the School Board for appointing Skorkowsky and did not take issue with the appointment, which came two months after former Superintendent Dwight Jones resigned from the district.

"Having watched the process, I think the board clearly had the right and responsibility to enter into (contract) negotiations with Skorkowsky," said Sam King, with the Las Vegas Valley League of Women Voters. "I understand there are people who aren't as happy (with the transparency). I hope we can get past this. I hope the board will move forward with negotiations."

The School Board will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3, to discuss Skorkowsky's contract. The public is invited to comment on Skorkowsky's appointment and contract at the time, Edwards said. Anyone wishing to listen to Skorkowsky's testimony Tuesday night are urged to watch the video or listen to the audio online, she added.

"This board cares about public comment," Edwards said, citing the more than a dozen superintendent search community meetings. "We are sensitive of concerns from the public to get one more change to give public comment."