School Board smart to hire from within

Congratulations to the Clark County School Board for selecting an internal administrator as the new superintendent (Wednesday Review-Journal). Pat Skorkowsky has 25 years of experience in the Clark County School District. They know what they are getting.

Relying on data and results from leaders in other districts doesn’t mean they could do the same in this district. For evidence of this, see the previous superintendent, Dwight Jones, who spent instruction money on himself and consultants. Superintendents with budget experience tend to cut budgets.

Mr. Skorkowsky’s experience in the district and background in instruction will aid him in developing a budget with teachers and students in mind. Being a soft-spoken man could be his biggest asset in tense negotiations with labor unions.

I’m glad to see the board voted 7-0 in support of Mr. Skorkowsky even though some wanted to do a national search. A national search would cost up to $250,000 for a consultant to do the board’s job. Consultants seldom recommend a local administrator for the position. It makes them look like they wasted the district’s money. The board saved money.

It’s not the public’s place to interview a superintendent of schools. That’s the responsibility of the board. Mr. Skorkowsky will be an excellent leader.

DOUGLAS DICKERSON

LAS VEGAS

Bad move

To the editor:

Your Thursday editorial on the Clark County School Board, “No search at all,” was on point.

This is the same group that granted former Superintendent Dwight Jones a severance package even though he violated the terms of his contract when he resigned without proper notice. What do we teach our children when we openly disregard our responsibility and obligations?

The current School Board is comprised of individuals who were educated in what we now see was an insufficient system. What do we expect?

MICHAEL R. STILLEY

MESQUITE

Scandal hypocrisy

To the editor:

At the end of Steve Sebelius’ Tuesday column regarding former U.S. Sen. John Ensign, he takes a shot at “hypocritical right-wingers who followed their lusts into scandal,” then names a couple of national politicians who indeed followed their lusts into scandal.

It appears the column was written before the illustrious ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, he of the social media photos of his crotch, made his declaration to run for mayor of New York City. It seems to me that Mr. Sebelius is being a hypocritical left-winger, considering the left has so openly received ex-President Bill Clinton after his disgusting acts while he was in the White House.

There has been plenty of poor judgment, scandalous behavior and moral turpitude from members of both parties over the years. No doubt there will be more to come. No doubt Mr. Sebelius and his “left-wingers” will be no less sanctimonious and self-righteous than they are today.

GARY ECHOLS

LAS VEGAS