School Board seeks greater transparency in administrative hires

A call from Clark County School Board Vice President Linda Young to limit the powers of Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky was answered Thursday by another board member who suggested policy changes.

The amendment would require the superintendent to “make the board aware of… personnel changes in instructional or operational leadership,” but doesn’t require the board’s approval in any way, as Young wanted.

“Promotions, dismissals, anything dealing with employment should all come to the School Board for approval,” insisted Young two weeks ago when she called for the board to re-institute a mandate previously in place for about 30 years.

Young’s request is in response to one of Skorkowsky’s high-ranking staff administrators inappropriately influencing a hire, education sources said.

The policy, if reinstated, would require the Clark County School District superintendent to obtain board permission in public meetings for every change to administrative personnel. About a decade ago, the board stepped back and allowed the superintendent to promote and transfer administrators at will, as long as the privilege wasn’t abused. That freedom remained in place for three superintendents — Carlos Garcia, Walt Rulffes and Dwight Jones.

The board didn’t vote on Thursday on the proposed policy change, but discussed it and agreed to bring it back later. Young said she appreciates the effort.

“I would like to have more information prior to things happening, or at least while it’s happening,” she said, adding, “I don’t think this board is, under any circumstances, trying to tie our superintendent’s hands. We have a responsibility to our constituents.”

Skorkowsky responded Thursday by claiming he’s “looking into all procedures” for how administrative hiring is done.

When Young suggested a limitation to his hiring powers two weeks ago, Skorkowsky said he’s willing to discuss approval processes for his administrative hires and a “system of checks and balances.” But the hiring process — how candidates are narrowed to one finalist — is at the “superintendent’s discretion,” he asserted. The School Board should not interfere with district operations, he said Thursday.

“This board has a right to have some say in how we hire and to give some direction to you,” responded Carolyn Edwards, a senior member of the board that evaluates the superintendent and decides whether to renew his contract.

Another education official called for the administrative hire in question to be undone and that position reopened. The high-ranking administrator who acted “inappropriately” must not be involved in the hire in any way, said Stephen Augspurger, executive director of the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees.

Skorkowsky said Augspurger’s suggested action is being considered.

The position must be re-flown to restore confidence, Augspurger said.

“The hiring process for a position was influenced inappropriately by a high-ranking administrator,” said Augspurger, adding that he’s “aware there is now an investigation into that practice.”

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.