Clark County School Board chooses Skorkowsky as new superintendent
Clark County School Board members sneaked in an appointment for a permanent leader late Tuesday night, hiring Interim Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky after just one impromptu interview.
They considered no other candidates, refusing pleas from Board President Carolyn Edwards to slow down in choosing the leader of the nation’s fifth-largest district who would oversee a $2 billion budget.
“The public has a right to participate in this process,” said Edwards who ultimately voted to appoint Skorkowsky in a 7-0 vote. “This is too fast for me… I’m asking you to work with me.”
Edwards unsuccessfully sought a few more days to vet Skorkowsky and to give the board and public time to interview him.
But board members Chris Garvey, Linda Young and Erin Cranor pushed for an immediate vote to appoint Skorkowsky while three others, Patrice Tew, Deanna Wright and Lorraine Alderman, remained quiet. “It’s time to fish or cut bait,” Garvey declared.
Skorkowsky has been interim superintendent for two months and was deputy superintendent for instruction for just seven months before that. The board had no public discussions with Skorkowsky up to Tuesday about his plans and strategy should he be permanently appointed.
Alderman said she was “uncomfortable” deciding before having any negotiations with Skorkowsky.
“Common sense has hit me between the eyes,” said Garvey, arguing that Skorkowsky has proven himself during his 25 years with the district.
However, Edwards said that despite Skorkowsky’s 25 years in the district, mostly as a school administrator, she doesn’t know if the soft-spoken man can manage a $2 billion budget or handle tense negotiations with labor unions.
Skorkowsky acknowledged his reputation as a “softy,” but said he’s had to fire teachers for not making the cut.
Edwards reiterated the unexpectedness of the push to immediately appoint Skorkowsky and said that the School Board is not doing its “due diligence.” Neither the meeting’s agenda nor the events leading up to the meeting made it clear that such a pivotal decision would even be considered Tuesday night.
The School Board had been discussing whether to search nationally or look locally for a superintendent.
Still, the appointment is legally allowed because of a generic item on just about every meeting agenda since former Superintendent Dwight Jones resigned on March 22, which says the School Board may take “possible action regarding all aspects of the search and selection.”
As late as Monday, School Board members appeared undecided in how to approach replacing Jones during a meeting that drew heated public comments. While the Clark County Education Association, which represents district teachers, voiced support for Skorkowsky, a contingent of community leaders saw more potential for harm than good in just hiring him without a national search.
Relying on “familiarity rather than data and results is a mistake,” said Hugh Anderson, chairman of the government affairs committee for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Monday night.
The next couple weeks will be spent negotiating the terms of Skorkowsky’s contract. His predecessor, Jones, had a four-year contract and earned an annual salary of $270,000. His total package was $358,000.
Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.
