Biggest margin for School Board goes to only incumbent not term-limited

Incumbents ineligible for fourth-terms on the Clark County School Board didn't go down easily in Tuesday's primaries.

School Board member Ruth Johnson finished first in District B.

School Board member Mary Beth Scow came in second to Clark County School District administrator Edward Goldman in District A.

That would have qualified both incumbents to advance to November's general elections, but the results carried only sentimental significance because Nevada term limits don't allow their re-election.

"I'm honored I still carry the confidence of the people," Johnson said Tuesday night. "It's a shame those votes won't count."

Johnson, who got 28 percent of the vote, said she knew many voters were confused because she and Scow were still on the ballots, which were printed before a state Supreme Court ruling made certain elected officials ineligible to serve more than 12 years in office.

Terri Janison, the only school board incumbent in the primaries who was eligible for re-election, came away with the biggest margin of the night, taking 50 percent of the vote District E, a race that drew three challengers.

"I'm so pleased the voters are responding to work I've done on the board," she said.

Janison was sad the other incumbents won't be returning, but added, "New blood is always good."

John Schutt Jr., an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, finished second in District E with 19 percent of the vote. He will advance to challenge Janison in the general election for the nonpartisan office.

Financial consultant Steve Greco took 15 percent of the vote and Caroline Sanchez-Rangen, a special education assistant, earned 14 percent of the vote.

According to the primary election returns, a few Clark County School District employees have a good chance at winning board seats.

Goldman, the district's associate superintendent for education services, took 30 percent of the vote in District A. Scow earned nearly 26 percent of the vote.

Because Scow is ineligible to serve, Goldman will face Deanna Wright, a homemaker who got 22 percent of the vote. Steve Bergstrom, a tax consultant, who got 21 percent of the vote, according to late returns.

Goldman said he was looking forward to the general election and "taking the board in a new direction."

Ron Taylor, a district teacher, also appeared to have a chance to win a seat on the board in November. With Johnson out of the race, Taylor was the top finisher with 23 percent of the vote in a close race for District B.

Late returns showed that Chris Garvey, a dental hygienist, appeared to finish second with 21 percent of the vote and won the right to advance to the general election with Taylor. Mike Noland, a retired school custodian, followed with 16 percent of the vote. Gaya Guymon finished last with 10 percent of the vote.

Janison said she is looking forward to November's general election to see who will serve on the board.

"It will be so interesting because there will be a lot of interesting personalities," she said.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug @reviewjournal.com or 702-799-2922.