Vegas PBS gets alcohol exception

Clark County School Board members hope to tap a source of donations in the tough economic times by allowing alcohol to be served at fundraisers for Vegas PBS in the station's new studio.

While apart from the school district, Vegas PBS is self-funded through grants and donations. Because alcohol is prohibited on all school property, the School Board needed to make an exception in time for the grand opening celebration of the station's $40 million new campus this spring.

Station officials did not want to waste money renting a separate banquet hall when they could showcase the new building at McLeod Drive and Flamingo Road.

Lisa Dove Swisher, the president of the board of directors for Southern Nevada Public Television, the station's fundraising arm, stressed the exception was necessary because "it's really tough in philanthropy right now."

The School Board stipulated Thursday that the organization hosting the fundraiser must have liability insurance, those under 21 will be excluded, alcohol cannot be served more than six times a year, and the events must be restricted to the studio. Vegas PBS will share its new building with the District's Virtual High School or online instructional unit.

Some board members, however, were not convinced that the station could not raise money without alcohol.

"Maybe we'll have to have a Shirley Temple Vegas PBS night," School Board President Mary Beth Scow said.