By Al Litman

Mayor Al Litman

Well, we are into a new year that should prove to be very exciting for Mesquite.  A lot of what will take place will, of course, depend on the economy and, hopefully, we won’t see a recession in 2023 as many of the so called experts have predicted.

I had planned on writing a series of articles on the proposed break-up of the Clark County School District and the ramifications it would have on Mesquite. 

However, the break-up has been placed on the back burner for at least another year, as the proposed initiative  failed to get the needed signatures to come before the legislature. It can’t come back for another year at the earliest, and that’s a good thing, but if you read it carefully, it was poorly written, at least in my opinion. 

I found it interesting that it was endorsed by the six Chambers of Commerce in Clark County.  As far as I know, chambers know very little about public education and their organizational structure.  Just saying. 

The same is true of most school boards that are usually just elected citizens with little or no background in education other than attending school themselves at one time in the past. All you have to do is listen to most school board meetings.  Just saying.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal ran an article several weeks ago by a commentator advocating the break up of CCSD. 

My opinion on the article was just that, opinion, without any knowledge of the facts.  The author thinks that money is not the answer. 

So, how do you justify that Nevada was the only state in the nation to receive a grade of F in every area of school funding? 

We rank 47th in the country for per pupil funding, which places us at one-half of the national average. 

Yes, CCSD is a mess, but breaking up the district needs a lot more thought in how to do it.

I spent 18 years in public education starting in a one school district in Northern Minnesota, then going to one of the largest districts, Los Angeles Unified, to Simi Unified in California. 

They all operated well, and were properly funded and organized.  By the way, the initiative, if you read it, was for incorporated cities only and made no mention of how Bunkerville, or the Moapa area would be organized. 

I assume it would be part of Mesquite. If you think funding  an organization is a problem now?  Need I say more. 

I think I’ve said enough about this subject, but before you jump on the bandwagon as the saying goes, take the time to analyze the whole picture of how a school district is organized, funded, and managed.  It’s far more complicated than you might realize.

Al Litman is mayor of the City of Mesquite