Jewish Federation correspondence, meeting minutes, and other records, item 10

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Tuesday, January 19, 1988 MINUTES PRESENT: Mike Cherry, Chairman Elise L. Ax Beverly Eisen Dorothy Eisenberg Bill Feldman Eddie Goldman Edythe Katz Norm Kaufman Eileen Kollins Mike Novick Barbara Ober Dee Ober Hal Ober Scott Ober Irene Perer Geri Rentchler Janis Riceberg Myrna Williams Mike Cherry, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone. He then introduced Bev Eisen as the new contact person at the Federation Office for community relations. Everyone present then introduced themselves. At this time Hal Ober gave his Clark County School District Report. This committee has been working on this project for the past few months. Jewish personnel had not been represented or promoted within the district equally. Hal called Dr. Robert Wentz, who met with him, Mark Fine, and Mike Saltman to discuss the present situation and what could be done to improve it. There was a follow-up meeting with Myrna Williams at which time the discussions on the district?s behalf were turned over to Charles Silvestri0 Presently the promises from the district include a minimum of one Jewish re?cruiter and a minimum of one Jewish person on the interview team. Also a concerted effort would be made to recruit Jewish administrators. Presently there are three. As of January 19, 1988, two have been named. One is Scott Ober, who will be going to Florida and the other is Steve Weiner, who will be going to Philadelphia (Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania.) Future trips this year will include such cities as: Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Long Island. There are at this time 272 administrators and only two are Jewish. This year three Jewish teachers made the list for promotion, which is a very large step on our behalf. On the negative side, David Mendleson, who is a Dean at Valley High School, has not even been given the opportunity to interview for an ele?mentary position as principal. The present breakdown is approximately 8% Hispanic, 10% Black, 5% Jewish, and 80% Women. All new positions will be re?viewed for affirmative action quotas. Interviews in February for secondary administrators will be coming up shortly, the the eligibility list is complete. Myrna also told the district the ratio of Jewish Administrators to teachers is unacceptable. She and Hal both asked that employees be evaluated on qualifications and merits and not simply on 1030 Ease Twain Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada ?9109 (702) 732-05 56Page 2 minority basis. The next ninety days will be spent on recruiting. A point of information stated that out of the 9,004 employees of the Clark County School District, only about 78 are Jewish. Hal will return for clarification of entire interview process and request that one of the four openings for elementary principal this year be given to at least one Jewish applicant. He will use Charles Silvestri as his contact at this time. Dorothy Eisenberg suggested networking with representation from all the other Jewish organizations to work together on this,- as well as on other community projects and problems. She stated this support from the entire Jewish Com?munity and not Jewish Federation alone..was necessary to accomplish our goals. The importance of our Clergy taking an active part on this committee was stressed by Edythe Katz. Their input and standing in Las Vegas is vital to our success. Their support is mandatory as well as desired. There being no further business, the meeting stood ajourned at 5:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Beverly Eisen, CRC Coordinator cc: Norm Kaufman Mike Cherry