CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD E

If John Schutt Jr., a Las Vegas police officer running for the Clark County School Board, could campaign in his patrol car, his sirens would be blaring and his lights flashing.

He has raised alarms on many issues but is most outraged by a School Board he perceives as "self serving."

"They have lost sight of their purpose of serving our children," Schutt said.

Schutt, 36, complains that he doesn't hear education discussed much at board meetings. Instead, he says, the School Board has gone off on tangents, such as approving advertising on food service trucks and looking for new sources of cash.

"They have focused on fundraising, which is not their role," Schutt said. "There needs to be more of a focus on educating the kids."

Terri Janison, his incumbent opponent for the nonpartisan office, said she has worked to improve accountability within the school system. She said Schutt's statements are typical of "someone who has no idea of what the job entails."

Janison identified the state budget crisis as one of the top issues facing the Clark County School District, which is preparing for 14 percent budget cuts over the next two years.

A School Board member since 2005, Janison said she devotes 40 hours a week to her position on the board. She said her commitment to the job is the main reason voters should re-elect her to the board.

Schutt, who has a bachelor's degree in government from California State University, Sacramento, does not disagree with Janison about the funding crisis. But he added, "I think there's money that can be saved."

"You've got to look at your own budget before you go out and ask for more money," Schutt said.

Within District E, which covers the northwest Las Vegas Valley, Schutt also sees disparities in how schools are treated, saying the older schools are not as well maintained as the newer schools.

Janison, 47, disagreed with her opponent, noting that the district devotes lots of funding to renovating older schools.

As part of her campaign, Janison has called for more parental involvement in public education. She wants to work to reduce the dropout rate.

Janison, who has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Western Kentucky University, believes the district is making progress but added, "Can more be done? Absolutely."

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