CARSON CITY - An initiative petition signed by an estimated 64,000 voters and aimed at breaking up the giant school district that encompasses Las Vegas will be filed Thursday in all 17 Nevada counties.
The plan, pushed by Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, is aimed at changing state law so that Clark County voters can decide whether to divide the county school district, sixth-largest in the nation.
Tiffany unsuccessfully pushed the plan, opposed by school officials, during the last four legislative sessions. Then she decided to bypass lawmakers with her petition.
Tiffany needs at least 44,009 signatures of registered voters, including 10 percent of the voters in 13 of the state's 17 counties. Spokesman Brad Lawrence said he's confident the petition will meet the minimum requirements.
After the counties check the number of signatures, they report the results to Secretary of State Dean Heller. He then will order a sampling to validate signatures.
If that's successful, the plan will be presented to the 2001 Legislature, which must act on it within 40 days. If the Legislature rejects it or changes it, then the issue goes on a statewide 2002 ballot.
If Nevada voters approve changing the state law to allow more than one district in a county, then Clark County residents will decide in 2004 if the schools will be split.
