LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The timeline to hire a new Clark County School District superintendent may get pushed back, school board trustees said Thursday.
Some school board members stated at Thursday’s meeting that they wanted to slow down the search following the resignation of Trustee Katie Williams on Wednesday. She resigned after an investigation revealed that the trustee resides in Nebraska.
“There’s a potential to lose candidates by slowing down,” said Dr. Shawn Joseph, associate with Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates. The firm is assisting CCSD, the fifth largest school system in the country, boasting a multi-billion dollar budget and nearly 300,000 students, with the superintendent search.
Joseph told trustees at a Thursday meeting that candidates seek stability and support from the board.
“Candidates look for boards that are clear in what they’re looking for, that can work together to come to consensus,” Joseph said.
There are now only six voting members on the Clark County School Board of trustees.
“Half our city has been disenfranchised on this board,” said Isaac Barron, a non-voting appointed trustee representing North Las Vegas. He expressed concern about moving forward in choosing a new superintendent with an open trustee seat. Williams’ vacated seat represents the northwest valley, including parts of North Las Vegas.
“Should we have every district represented here in place with this decision that we’re making in your recommendation?” asked Ramona Esparza-Stoffregan, a trustee from Henderson. Joseph said he believed that to be the best practice.
The investigation into Williams’ residency began when 8newsnow.com reported that the trustee had not attended more than a dozen school meetings in person. Evelyn Garcia Morales, the school board president, has consistently ignored requests for comment and refused to answer questions at Thursday’s meeting. She faces off with Tameka Henry for the District C seat in November.
Nevada law calls for the school board to vote for someone to serve the remainder of Katie Williams’ term as trustee. That person has not been chosen, and there has been no indication of when the choice will be made.
The school board previously set November 1 as the target date for selecting a new superintendent.
