LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – CCSD students return to the classroom in one month and Monday night we learned how the next leader of the district will be chosen and when. The CCSD Board of Trustees selected a search firm who outlined the process and timeline during a presentation before the board.
Trustees are aiming to get the superintendent in place by November 1st. To do so, they will hold a series of special meetings over the next several months. The first will be in two weeks on July 25th.
The selected search firm, HYA Associates, says they will now move the search process forward advertising the position nationally and meeting with trustees to discuss things like desired salary and benefits range and background checks. They also want to know what should be included in a public survey asking what the community wants in its next leader.
“It is going to take all hands-on deck to engage your community because it is very large and very diverse and we are going to need to have everyone,” explained Dr. Shawn Joseph, HYA Associates about the search process.
Also, up for debate Monday, whether CCSD Trustees should appeal a court order ruling against them. The balance of power on the school board has been a big issue.
Under a new state law, four new CCSD Trustees were added at the beginning of the year. They were appointed to represent the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Clark County but they do not have voting power.
At their very first meeting the elected trustees voted to strip some of the power given to those non-voting members like making motions during public meetings. Henderson and North Las Vegas sued and judge sided with them ordering the power of their representatives be restored. The discussion on whether to appeal turned contentious.
“Our priority right now that our community is waiting for is for us to conduct and very through and inclusive superintendent search. Not for us to spend time money and resources on something that has already been decided in court,” contended Trustee Linda Cavazos who was against an appeal.
“This does not cost the district money unless we decide to hire outside council, maybe a filing fee. This does not cost the board itself time I look at future boards a potential chaotic problem,” Trustee Katie Williams claimed while arguing for an appeal.
In a split decision, the majority of the elected trustees voted not to appeal the court’s decision meaning the powers of the trustees appointed to represent Clark County and the cities in it must be restored in accordance with state law.
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