School district changes course
Sometimes, changing a policy position is not a sign of expedience. Sometimes, it's simply recognizing the previous position was wrong.
A little more than a month ago, Clark County School District officials said the School Board would carry on with just six members for the rest of the year, leaving open the District E seat vacated by John Cole when he resigned to take a job in another state.
Minds were changed. On Thursday, the board could vote to appoint a placeholder for the post, who will remain in office until the winner of November's election is sworn in.
The change of course was the right thing to do. The school district faces a great deal of important business this year, from layoffs to another contract impasse with teachers to the construction funding question on November's ballot. The prospect of having a tie vote on any issue was problematic enough, but depriving the northwest valley of a voice on the board until January was far more troubling.
District E voters have been on a roller coaster of representation since 2008. Terri Janison won election, then resigned to join Gov. Brian Sandoval's administration. Mr. Cole was appointed to replace her but couldn't finish the term. Trustees will conduct interviews with applicants for the post Thursday, and could vote to appoint someone that afternoon. They should select someone with the energy to capably represent taxpayers for more than five months, as well as work toward the board's goals of lifting expectations, standards and achievement.
