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Opinion
Sep. 13, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Name game

A number of the valley's military families believe the naming of Cimarron-Memorial High School was an insufficient tribute to Southern Nevada veterans. So a few dozen of them attended Monday's meeting of the Clark County School District's naming committee with hopes of persuading its members to designate a new southwest valley campus Veterans Memorial High School.

Among those in attendance was Rachel Bravo, whose 21-year-old brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Raul S. Bravo, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq earlier this year. "He was doing exactly what he loved," Ms. Bravo said. "We should all be so lucky."

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    • They were rebuffed. The committee's members said school district policy prohibited them from naming a high school after anything other than the "locality or region" of the campus. So the panel applied the moniker of Desert Oasis High School on the recommendation of about 15 students.

    However, the appointed members of the naming committee voted to change the school district's policy to allow high schools to be named after "cultural or historical" events or groups. For the revised policy to take effect, the naming committee must approve it again next month, then the elected members of the School Board would have to OK it.

    The machinations of this particular bureaucracy would not be noteworthy but for one simple fact: the school district's naming policies are ridiculous.

    This committee rejected a name that honors soldiers who've paid the ultimate price and graces at least a dozen high schools across the country in favor of a "regional" identification that defies logic. The area that surrounds the school site, south of Rainbow Boulevard and the Las Vegas Beltway, is no oasis.

    Meanwhile, the committee goes on slapping the names of the living on nearly every elementary and middle school in the valley, stroking politicians and campaign donors despite the fact that any one of them might one day embarrass themselves -- and an entire campus -- with unethical or illegal behavior. Textbook example No. 1: tearing down Madison Elementary School and renaming the new building in 2000 after Assemblyman Wendell Williams despite the fact that he owed $52,000 in child support.

    Over the next few years, Mr. Williams famously self-destructed in a blur of arrogance and deception, losing his patronage job with the city of Las Vegas and his seat in the Legislature. Meanwhile, the elementary school on J Street still bears his name.

    The school district could simplify this morass by boiling down its naming policy to two simple rules: use a little common sense and, when applying a person's name to a campus, do so posthumously.

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    Bill wrote on September 13, 2007 09:37 PM: Naming schools after politicians? What next? Will they start naming schools after slimey attorneys and used car salesmen?

    I can just see it now: Glen Lerner Elementary or Chopper Junior High School.


    Damari wrote on September 13, 2007 12:33 PM: I do believe that a school should be named after our Veterans! We have been fighting for a school to be named to after them for a while now. For more articles and information please visit www.defendingfreedom.net they are taking charge and leading our community in supporting our Troops, Veterans and their families.


    Trish wrote on September 13, 2007 12:29 PM: I feel that it is unfair and unjust that the school board follows policies and procedures that are only convenient for them at the time of ruling. Why not name a school after the Veterans? They have fought for our freedom, they should be recognized. What better way than to name one school in Nevada after them; so Nevadans can show their support to the Veterans.


    Nikki wrote on September 13, 2007 12:24 PM: I think the school board is out of line and should reconsider NOT naming our schools after politicians since the rules are never followed. Knowing that our schools are being named after people that have broken the laws and rules should not be allowed! DO YOUR HOMEWORK and evaluate our politicians!


    Greg McFarlane wrote on September 13, 2007 09:56 AM: It's truly astounding how many schools, beltways etc. are named after living politicians in this state. And it's testament to the egos of politicians that they accept the honor. How about naming a school after Fred Pokorney, the first Nevadan to die in Operating Enduring Freedom? That suggestion shouldn't be coming from me, it should be coming from the next politician to be nominated for such an honor.


    A Hirsch wrote on September 13, 2007 06:52 AM: Common sense and school board = oxymoron. Could be applied to the entire beauracratic morass known as the CCSD. It's no wonder this district is the laughing stock of the US.