Superintendent sees silver lining in School Board exit

Dwight Jones, the next superintendent of the Clark County School District, is looking on the bright side of the pending resignation of School Board President Terri Janison, who will become Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval's community relations director.

The district will gain a "voice in the governor's Cabinet," Jones said. He added that he is pleased Sandoval recognized Janison's leadership ability.

Janison, 49, said she plans to remain in her School Board post in December and join the Sandoval administration in January.

The board will start the search for a new representative for District E, northwest Clark County, at its Dec. 9 meeting, Janison said. The board must advertise the vacancy in the newspaper and then interview and select Janison's successor to fill the remaining two years of her four-year term.

Carolyn Edwards, who was re-elected in November, is now board vice president. Edwards could not be reached for comment about any plans to run for board president.

Linda Young, the board's secretary, said she has not thought about running for board president.

Board members Young, Larry Mason and Deanna Wright all thought Janison's new job was a "great opportunity" for her. Two new board members, Lorraine Alderman and Erin Cranor, will take office in January.

That will leave only three members, Edwards, Wright and Chris Garvey, on the seven-member board who selected Jones to succeed Walt Rulffes as superintendent. Young did not vote for Jones because she thought the selection process was too rushed.

Board members were criticized by the public for expediting the superintendent search so that some board members could have a say before they left office.

Janison said the criticism should not apply to her because Sandoval was elected weeks after Jones was chosen.

"This is really a nonissue," Janison said.

Jones said he will start work as superintendent on Dec. 15.

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