EDITOR:
I was deeply involved in the original KIDS organization and the passage of the school bond in the early 1990s. Part of the deal was a strong focus on improving the quality of Douglas schools. Under Pendery Clark and John Soderman that promise seemed to put Douglas schools among the leading performers in the state. Nevada's school performance is still near the bottom nationally, so best in Nevada still means plenty of improvement is needed.
It is difficult from a distance to know and understand the causes of the leadership issues at the Douglas County School District. It seems confidence in the superintendent has decreased in the district from parents, administrators and staff. Reports in The Record-Courier indicate school principals have concerns too. I have no direct connection to any schools now, but rumors of a fear of retaliation usually have some basis in perception if not in fact.
The board has an obligation to do what is right for the students and the community including the employers who will likely hire the graduates. The board should not extend the superintendent's contract until the questions are resolved. She has a year to re-establish quality leadership in the district. She needs to show the community that test scores are rising, graduation rates increasing, more kids are admitted to college and not required to take remedial classes. Extending her contract while serious questions remain sends the wrong message to students and the community.
The board seems split on the decision to extend the contract or not. The buck stops with them, but they represent the community and the students. The questions need to be resolved with the board united and convinced they have the right person for the position to move Douglas schools and students to an even higher performance plateau. Each board member signed up for the task when they ran for the position, now is the time for them to show the community they are up to the task and demonstrate real leadership. Show taxpayers your leadership can put our schools back on top in Nevada with a clear goal to produce competent students who are competitive nationally and even internationally.
Ray Bacon
Minden
