Welcome for new black educators includes oversight

Politics, or more accurately the fear of politics, imposed some restrictions on a Friday night party to welcome new black educators to town.

Guests were told in advance they wouldn't be able to watch Barack Obama, the first black presidential candidate of a major party, debate his opponent, John McCain.

Self-described chaperones also promised to make sure an organizer of Friday's party at the Texas Station, Linda E. Young, was not using the event to boost her own candidacy for the school board.

Young is the director of equity and diversity education for the Clark County School District.

"If she's political, I will talk to her about it," school board member Carolyn Edwards said. "There will be no campaigning under our watch."

Edwards sought to reassure Young's opponent, Ronan Matthew, who complained about the event at Thursday's school board meeting.

"I'm fully aware that Superintendent Walt Rulffes and some of his cabinet members are utilizing the resources of the (district) to support my candidate in the race to represent District C," Matthew said.

As a matter of policy, Rulffes said, neither he nor the district endorses candidates.

Charlene Green, an assistant superintendent, said the district hosts a series of parties every year to welcome new minority teachers.

"This in no way is a political event," she said in an interview.

Each party for blacks, Asian-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans costs roughly $5,000 and is paid through federal Title 2 funds for the purpose of retaining minority educators and promoting diversity, Green said.

Matthew, a retired principal, said he has participated in these parties in the past but questioned the timing this year because it is so close to the election.

In an interview, Young said the party cannot take place too late in the year because the purpose is welcome newcomers and help them settle into the community.

Young said she has been organizing these parties for the school district since 1989. Young sent Matthew e-mails about this year's party as far back as March and said he was welcome to attend also.

As a district employee, Young said she understands she cannot campaign during the event.

Because the district must remain apolitical, Young said, the party would not be watching Friday's presidential debate.

"We can't even talk about Obama," Young said. "It's not appropriate."

In another criticism, Matthew complained that members of the Clark County Education Association, the teachers union that has endorsed his opponent, were handing out campaign literature on school time and school property.

School policy prohibits campaign activity during work hours.

A school spokesman said a member of the state union did visit a campus and distribute campaign literature but employees were not were not directly involved other than taking the literature from distributors.

John Jasonek, the executive director of the CCEA, said Matthew's complaints were a "cheap means of getting free publicity."

Jasonek acknowledged that teachers are passionate about the upcoming election, but he tells them "to make sure what you do does not interfere with your job and what you're supposed to be doing at school."

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