Tight fit at some schools ruffles feathers

Clark County School Board President Terri Janison on Thursday reacted angrily to reports of schools that are overcapacity this year because 76 elementary campuses switched from 12-month to nine-month calendars.

At a School Board meeting, Janison said she felt "we have egg on our face" because of earlier assurances from district staff that schools could accommodate the change.

The issue is not a lack of classroom seats. The problems are operational, such as dealing with crowded lunchrooms and handling traffic congestion before and after school, said Rick Baldwin, the district's acting director for zoning.

If not for portable classrooms, the district's elementary schools would be over normal capacity by 16,363 students this school year, officials said.

There are currently about 20 elementary schools with enrollments that exceed building capacity by 36 percent or more. For example, Wright Elementary School, 8425 Bob Fisk Ave., near Blue Diamond Road and Durango Drive, is using 14 portable classrooms because its enrollment is 44 percent over normal capacity.

Dearing Elementary School, 3046 Ferndale St., near Vegas Valley Drive and Lamb Boulevard, needs 16 portable classrooms because its enrollment is 48 percent over normal capacity.

Faced with budget shortfalls in April, the School Board ordered all elementary schools to return to nine-month calendars, which saved about $15 million.

At the time, parents overwhelmingly supported the change. School Board member Deanna Wright said Thursday that some principals might have been afraid to oppose such a popular move.

Janison said the district is stuck with the current situation because the board has made a two-year commitment to keeping schools on the nine-month schedule.

Janison also said there is some hope that the problem could partially correct itself next year if the district goes to open enrollment for all schools. Parents could voluntarily move their children to schools that are less crowded, she said.

The School Board then directed district staff to re-evaluate the problem and make recommendations regarding open enrollment versus changing attendance boundaries.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917.