A decade ago, the city of North Las Vegas faced a financial crisis that threatened its very existence. Today, it is a thriving and rapidly growing municipality. This remarkable turnaround is due in large part to the leadership of Mayor John Lee and City Manager Ryann Juden, who implemented a number of reforms that streamlined city government and improved services.
One of the key reforms was to streamline the process for obtaining city permits and licenses. By identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, the city was able to reduce the time it took to obtain these documents from months to days. This made it easier for businesses to operate and for residents to get the services they needed.
Another major accomplishment was the creation of the Southern Nevada Urban Micro Academy during the COVID pandemic. This innovative school provided individualized instruction to students who were struggling with reading. As a result, most of the students who attended the micro school ended the year above grade level.
The turnaround in North Las Vegas is a testament to the power of strong leadership and a commitment to reform. The city’s leaders were willing to make tough decisions and to withstand criticism in order to improve the lives of their residents. Their success offers valuable lessons for the Clark County School District, which is facing similar challenges.
Here are some key differences between the turnaround in North Las Vegas and the ongoing struggles of the Clark County School District:
1. Voters wanted a change. Lee defeated an incumbent mayor and voters stuck with him. School Board races receive little voter interest — the fine readers of this column excluded — and it shows.
2. Failure led to reform, not financial gain. NLV’s fiscal crisis made the status quo untenable, giving Lee, Juden and their team cover to metaphorically tear down the city and rebuild it. When politicians dump money into the district, they only solidify its failure.
3. Leadership. Lee and Juden had the courage to withstand nasty public attacks and an understanding of what would improve things. Former Superintendent Jesus Jara showed bravery in taking on the teachers union, but he kept pursuing the wrong policies.
Juden leaves a legacy of success in NLV and has set an example for others to follow. The Clark County School District would be wise to learn from his experience.
