Watch your tires

Having enjoyed only minimal success in guiding his education reform package through the 2011 Legislature, Gov. Brian Sandoval understands the power of those who profit from the public school status quo.

And if he needed any more evidence of how hard he'll have to fight if he hopes to achieve greater success against those entrenched, powerful interests, Gov. Sandoval need look no farther than our neighbor up north, Idaho.

The Gem State's public schools have lost about $200 million in funding because of the recession, and they face more cuts. So up stepped Idaho schools Superintendent Tom Luna to propose a series of reforms designed to save money and make the system operate more efficiently.

The proposals, which in many respects mirror those sought by Gov. Sandoval, include phasing out tenure for teachers, abandoning "last in, first out" layoff policies, implementing merit pay and restricting collective bargaining. Mr. Luna also would give every student a laptop and require kids to take some online courses in order to graduate.

Idaho lawmakers backed the plan and the state's GOP governor signed it into law. The response?

Vandals spray-painted Mr. Luna's truck and slashed his tires, The Associated Press reported. Teacher unions are attempting to repeal the reforms through referendum and to recall Mr. Luna. One 18-year-old student who dared praise the changes and created a Facebook page to show his support received death threats, noted The AP.

To date, these infantile tactics have been largely absent from the debate in Nevada. Then again, Gov. Sandoval didn't go as far as Mr. Luna -- he didn't attack collective bargaining for teachers or embrace new technology spending that might kill some teaching jobs -- and the education establishment has a stronger presence in Carson City than in Boise.

But if Gov. Sandoval ever succeeds in strengthening some of the watered-down education reforms Democratic lawmakers granted him this year, he might want to contact Mr. Luna for tips on paint removal.