Las Vegas NowDistrict Ready for New School Year

District Ready for New School Year

Just days before a new school year gets underway, questions about the H1N1 virus, budget cuts, and teacher vacancies topped the list at the annual school superintendant's news conference.

Clark County School District officials are cautiously upbeat heading into the new year because budget cuts and higher No Child Left Behind standards mean all schools will be trying to achieve more with less.

By this time next week, the empty chairs and quiet classrooms will be filled with young students again. CCSD projects fall enrollment to approach 314,000 students, about 2,000 more than last year.

Among the district's 347 total schools are six brand new ones and one replacement school -- Gordon McCall Elementary in Henderson.

Superintendant Walt Rulfess says about 400 of the 600 teacher vacancies have been filled so far. "The 200 remaining are in specialized areas -- math, science, autism and special education and we will continue to hire and fill those positions as we find qualified people," he said.

But despite efforts to shield schools from the $120 million in state budget cuts, district officials say staff reductions, overcrowded classes, fewer electives, and the elimination of the popular block schedule will effect some students at the classroom level.

But busing for students attending magnet schools or those living within two miles of their school has been salvaged, along with school librarians and technical aides "The community should feel good about the bang they're getting for their buck," said Rulffes.

And local health officials were also on hand to assure the public the mostly mild H1N1 virus is being closely monitored and continues to pose no threat to schools right now.

The health districts flu surveillance programs reveal that H1N1 is already circulating widespread within the Las Vegas community and most of those infected recover without any medical treatment.