CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD A

Edward Goldman, an associate superintendent for the Clark County School District, and Deanna Wright, a former PTA president, are competing to represent District A on the Clark County School Board.

Goldman, 57, who manages education support services and has more than 27 years experience in the district, promises innovation and the institutional knowledge to get things done, such as cutting bureaucracy and reducing class sizes.

Goldman has a doctorate in education administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, two master's degrees and two bachelor's degrees.

He stressed the importance of his experience because, he said, the school district is essentially a $2.2 billion corporation. He said his perspective would be critical as the school system, the fifth-largest in the United States, braces to weather looming 14 percent reductions in funding from the state over the next two years. If elected, Goldman said, he would retire from his position as associate superintendent.

His opponent, Deanna Wright, said the public doesn't necessarily want a "bookworm" to make its decisions on the School Board.

"You need an outsider for a new perspective," said Wright, 37, who added that her life experiences as a mother and former Parent Teacher Association president qualify her for the nonpartisan office.

Wright has challenged district policy before when she joined other parents and the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit opposing school uniforms.

They lost the case in federal court. Wright said she viewed the school uniforms as an infringement of parents' rights and a superficial education reform.

"It looks cute, but it doesn't improve their education," said Wright, who did not complete an associate degree in travel and tourism at a community college in Fullerton, Calif.

Wright has won the backing of current School Board President Mary Beth Scow and the teachers union, the Clark County Education Association.

"I think it speak volumes that they did not endorse the individual they have dealt with," Wright said.

Goldman countered that he has the support of many teachers, four former School Board members, the school district Police Officers Association and the Nevada AFL-CIO.

"I guess that speaks volumes too," Goldman said.

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