Clark County School Board sees one new face, return of others

School Board incumbent Deanna Wright was on the ropes coming into Tuesday's election, barely earning the second spot on the ballot despite sitting on the board for four years.

But she fought back against Kevinn Donovan, who dominated in the June primaries, and defeated him by a wide margin in Tuesday's race for Clark County School Board District A.

"I'm not going to say, 'I knew I was going to win' because I didn't," said 41-year-old Wright on Tuesday night.

Donovan, 37, would have been a new face in school politics and the southeast district, but the voters don't want a new face right now, Wright contended. The district is on a promising track, posting an improved graduation rate for last school year, opting out of No Child Left Behind and instituting several reforms.

"They want the stability to continue that work," Wright said.

One new face, retired attorney Patrice Tew, 55, will join the School Board of seven members. The incumbent for District E in the northwest valley wasn't running, so a new board member was guaranteed.

Tew probably will be the only change to the board of the country's fifth-largest school district, with 311,000 students.

She said she realizes the district is trying to improve at a time of reduced resources. But officials must "come at this differently." She advocated getting more parents involved.

"Parent involvement is the No. 1 factor for success," said Tew, who has been active with the PTA.

In the other two School Board races, the incumbents also will return.

President Linda Young, District C representative for central Las Vegas, was uncontested.

Chris Garvey, 51, District B representative for North Las Vegas and part of Las Vegas, won the race against her opponent, 65-year-old Rose Moore, an educational disabilities advocate.

Garvey also pointed to the district's recent progress as the reason for her likely four-year return.

"It's back to work bright and early tomorrow morning," she said late Tuesday.

Finances are where the incumbents' election victory turned bittersweet.

Despite bringing back Garvey and Wright for another term, voters weren't so keen on the district's requested property tax increase, which would have provided an estimated $669 million for school improvements and renovations.

School Board members said that will definitely affect all the recent reforms and academic gains.

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.