The search for a new superintendent for the Clark County School District (CCSD) has been narrowed down to six candidates. According to Fox5 Vegas, the consulting firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, which is conducting the search, reported that 46 individuals applied for the position. Notable candidates include Jhone Ebert, the current State Superintendent of Nevada, Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Jason Glass, former Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education.
Interviews with potential candidates are set for February 24 and 25, followed by another round on March 10 and 11, which will include community forums. However, concerns have been raised about the suitability of some candidates. Marie Neisess, president of the Clark County Education Association, stressed the importance of the decision, "The consequences of selecting an unqualified candidate or the inability to select a candidate are too high and too much is at stake," she said in a statement obtained by Fox5 Vegas.
The call for a new leader comes after Knyqu Hayes, a CCSD parent and educator, expressed to KTNV the need for someone "from Vegas that knows what's going on-- or someone from Nevada, know what is going on here, know the issues here, knows that there are a bunch of kids that are struggling to even get on grade level." Hayes also criticized the search firm's choices, claiming that it is problematic to consider applicants who have previously been fired from positions in other school districts.
Neisess reiterated her concerns to KTNV, emphasizing that "Both students and education professionals deserve a courageous and thoughtful leader who can confront the many challenges the school district faces, including working with the 18,000+ educators to move
forward on enacting and implementing best education standards for Nevadans." The Clark County Education Association continues to monitor the process closely, acknowledging that a few candidates could meet the expected standards, but many do not, calling into question the consulting firm's judgment. The association highlights the gravity of this decision, which aligns with the crucial policy discussions and contract negotiations underway.
The Clark County School District Board of Trustees will assess the qualifications of the candidates, along with their ability to rebuild trust with the educators' union and lead the district through a period of policy changes, resource allocation, and academic challenges. The decision regarding the new superintendent will be made in the coming weeks.
