Panel OKs contract for Clark County schools empowerment plan developer

CARSON CITY — State lawmakers on Thursday approved a $150,000 contract to hire a retired superintendent to develop an empowerment model for the Clark County School District in time for the 2018-19 school year.

The Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee approved the contract with Michael Strembitsky, a retired superintendent who four decades ago designed and implemented the empowerment model in Edmonton, Alberta.

Strembitsky will work with the district and teacher, school administrator and community groups to develop recommendations by summer.

A separate legislative committee looking at reorganizing the school district voted unanimously Wednesday to hire Strembitsky. Supporters of the reorganization, required under Assembly Bill 394, argue it will boost student achievement, increase local control and cut costs.

State Sen. Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, leads the nine-member committee that must submit a reorganization plan by Jan. 1.

How to spread teachers equitably across the nation’s fifth-largest school district presents just one of many issues Strembitsky will tackle as he develops the reorganization plan over the next several months.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801