Sandoval names Terri Janison director of community relations

CARSON CITY -- Clark County School Board President Terri Janison will resign her elected position to direct Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval's Las Vegas office because "education is a big thing to him."

Janison, 49, said Monday she also will be the governor's community relations director. She will learn more about her duties Monday when she meets with Sandoval in Northern Nevada.

"You need to be out there and listening to what people say," said Janison about the community relations job. "Being in community relations is like being a School Board member. It is important being out there listening to what people say."

Janison said she would resign from the nonpartisan board position she has held for five years by the end of December. Her four-year term, which expires in 2012, will be completed by an appointee selected by the School Board from a field of applicants. She represents School Board District E in the northwest valley. Under board policy, Janison's vacancy will be advertised.

Janison's resignation coincides with the departure of term-limited board members Sheila Moulton and Larry Mason.

Her salary has not yet been announced because the budget for Sandoval's office staff has not been finalized. Salaries for all employees will be released when it is, said Mary-Sarah Kinner, Sandoval's press secretary.

Janison earned $750 a month as a School Board member. Her husband, Kevin Janison, is a weatherman at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, in Las Vegas.

She is the second person with connections to the Clark County School District that Sandoval has chosen for his administration.

Dale Erquiaga, the district's former government affairs director, serves as Sandoval's deputy transition director and will be handling policy matters after the new governor takes office Jan. 3.

Janison's tenure on the board has fueled criticism of her dealings with public speakers.

During a September School Board meeting on the search for a new superintendent, Janison had speaker and education activist Andres Mendoza removed by police for being disruptive. Mendoza was arrested and cited for interfering with the peaceful conduct of a meeting.

Janison said Monday she was aware of that criticism and said that public comments made at School Board meetings can get out of hand.

Janison, a Southern Nevada resident for 16 years, said she has devoted 30 hours to 50 hours a week to School Board duties. She has two children, ages 17 and 14.

Janison has worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, representing foster children in the court system, and as the executive director of nonprofit organizations serving children. She has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Western Kentucky University.

"I have pledged to make education a centerpiece of my administration, so Terri's experience as a school trustee will be invaluable as we reach out to engage the community in reform efforts," Sandoval said in a statement. "Terri knows how important it is that we find new approaches to serve our constituents and encourage Nevadans to be more involved with government in positive ways."

During a campaign debate against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid, Sandoval called for vouchers that would allow parents to choose the schools their children attend and for the end of social promotion.

"Our education system is in peril. I think that we need to do something tough, we need to challenge the system, we need to shake up the status quo," said Sandoval during the summer debate.

Sandoval intends to balance the state's 2011-13 budget without increasing taxes, a task the state's budget director has said might require a general fund spending cut of at least $1 billion.

During his campaign for office, Sandoval released a short-term plan that included a 4 percent cut in state worker and teacher pay. Erquiaga said last week that Sandoval also might try to take money from local government and school district funds.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.