As the saying goes, if you want to change public policy, you have to change public officials.
The Nevada State Board of Education is extremely hostile to any measure of school choice, even the limited choice of attending public charter schools. Indeed, not only has the board slapped a moratorium on accepting any new charter school applications, it has consistently voted against allowing already-approved online virtual charter schools to expand their programs. In recent months such requests have been killed by a series of 5-5 votes.
Change just one anti-charter vote and you’ll change public policy.
Four of those five anti-charter school board members are up for re-election this year. And as you may recall, over a month ago we announced our intent to help recruit and assist pro-charter school candidates who would challenge any of the four anti-charter school incumbents - including Sen. Harry Reid’s daughter-in-law, Cindy Reid.
The good news is, challengers successfully filed to run against all four of the anti-charter school board members.
The GREAT news is that, faced with these serious challenges, all four of the anti-charter school board members decided NOT to run for re-election after all. And we’re now seriously considering a recall effort against the lone remaining anti-charter school member, Anthony Ruggiero.
Nevada’s parents and school children who are hoping for greater school choice and educational opportunities may be only an election away from seeing major changes and improvements.
Posted on May 31st, 2008 by chuckmuth
Filed under: National
If Nevada’s parents want choice, they better get involved. I saw some interest in the panel on education that Chuck and I sat on about a month ago. Also, the Education Coalition is trying to bring the message of school choice to the public. The only hope, however, is for Nevada parents to get “mad as hell and not take it anymore”. I don’t see much sign of this, but still hold out hope. Stick to your guns, Chuck.