We asked 20 professional, "How do we fix education in Las Vegas?
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“Parent involvement. Teacher and administration accountability.”
-Tom Bailey, vice president of Nevada State Bank
“Get creative. Rethink expenditures and better utilize technology, like e-books instead of textbooks.”
-Jan Scarborough, founder and president of The Idea Factory
“Not unlike teaching your child how to clean his room, you break the problem down into manageable areas, give it a timeframe, clean it up one step at a time.”
-Linda Quinn, CEO of Lied Discovery Children’s Museum
“I don’t know what the answer is. I just know that some of the issues are affecting my business, and there’s got to be something we can do.”
-Robyn Carter, owner of RCM Travel
“If we want our community to be better, we can’t continue to cut education.”
-Patty Barba, owner of Patty’s Closet
“Educate the parents.”
-Emma Flores, insurance agent of Rodney D. Young Insurance
“Make Andre Agassi superintendent.”
-John Lennon, president of Xyience
“Privatize it and run it like a business.”
-Curt Sheffield, director of business affairs of Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
“Write to our legislators.”
-Marina Nicola, principal/owner of Vox Solid Communications
“They need to spend money efficiently.”
-Pam Dion, co-founder of Advantages Online Private School
“Institute a broad-based business tax, and a luxury tax on purchases over $1,000. ”
-Vinny Spotleson, Nevada regional organizer of Sierra Club
“Augment the system by promoting ancillary educational services available.”
-Ken Rubeli, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Henderson
“I think it would be helpful if the teachers got and a little more funding.”
-Raiza Ferre, property manager
“I’d get rid of the seniority system and start a lottery to increase funding.”
-Brent Bayes, marketing director of Las Ventanas
“Lottery. Encourage academic excellence.”
-Mona Van Joseph, licensed psychic
"Legalize marijuana and apply revenues to education.”
-Rob Jenson, founder & ceo of The Jenson Group
“We need to listen to students, not just administrators. It’s not just a money issue, it’s a communication issue.”
-Audrey Dempsey, corporate president of Infinity Enterprises Inc.
“Quite simply increasing funds to schools and monitoring that funding is being properly spent.”
-Jeff Grace, president/CEO of NetEffect
“We’ve got to have a different mindset; a willingness to increase taxes to support education is key.”
-Debra Nelson, vice president of corporate diversity and community affairs for MGM Resorts International
“We have to embrace a culture of education. We have to finally make education a real national priority.”
-Kathy Gamboa, territory vice president of University of Phoenix