Arbitration ahead for school district, police over raises

Clark County School District police are going to arbitration because school system officials have reneged on last year's decision on an increase in starting pay for officers, the union's president said.

The Clark County School Board increased pay for police officers last November to $45,531, from $38,896. The district's police were not in contract talks last year. The pay increase came during a time when a rash of campus crimes occurred.

District police attributed problems recruiting officers to low starting pay compared with the other three law enforcement agencies in the Las Vegas Valley, which have starting salaries above or near $50,000.

Phil Gervasi, president of the district's police union, said the starting pay for officers is a sticking point in the contract negotiations. "We can't retain. We can't recruit. It's the old story again," Gervasi said.

Fran Juhasz, the district's chief negotiator, wouldn't comment on Gervasi's claim, saying contract talks are confidential. But a district source with knowledge of the talks, who asked not to be identified, said the two sides will be going to arbitration.

The four-year contract expired June 30. Gervasi said the police and district have met 15 times.

Capt. James Ketsaa with the district police said the district has about 150 officers.

District police are about 25 officers short, he said.

District police have confiscated six handguns and two pellet guns on campuses this school year. Last school year, district police confiscated 27 handguns and 25 pellet guns, Ketsaa said.