A high school teacher at Virgin Valley High School in Mesquite presented a letter to the Mesquite City Council last week signed by a group of teachers who want growth controlled.
Boyd Wittwer, representing 34 of the 35 teachers at the high school plus two members of the administration, said the council has considered zoning, roads, power, water and other city needs but has not dealt adequately with how growth affects the schools of Virgin Valley."There is nothing more important than the education of youth," Wittwer said. "Is a bigger tax base, another casino or additional land development more important than the schools' ability to deliver a good education to the children of Mesquite?"
Any civic leader who puts money or growth before education is doing society an injustice and should reconsider priorities, he said. When the new high school was built, the letter states, "Grades six through 12 moved in. We were told as soon as a new elementary school was built, grades six through eight would be moved back to the old school. They are still with us."
Council members pointed out to Wittwer that Clark County School District has approved a new elementary school for Virgin Valley, to be completed for use in September 1995.
Wittwer told the council that even though a new elementary school would help, the high school would soon face a serious overcrowding problem. "The high school was built to accommodate 800 students," he said, and as of this date we are now closing on 700."
Wittwer said the teachers signing the letter were asking that growth be slowed. "We feel casinos are growing too fast compared to other businesses and we are asking that community growth not outrun the schools' ability to educate.
"We believe," he continued, "the cart has been in front of the horse and it's time we put the horse in front again."
There are presently three large casinos operating in Mesquite with hotels/motels/RV parks and restaurants.
Last fall, Players Island Resort began construction on a $60 million destination casino featuring a state-of-the-art spa, nine-story hotel, RV park, and 18-hole golf course along with a large housing development. Players Island Resort will be open for business in June.
Ted Lee's Rancho Mesquite Casino and Hotel is presently going through preliminary developmental steps with Mesquite City Council. Two 18-hole golf courses are open, with players competing for tee times. Two more are in planning and construction stages.
Recently, the City Council approved preliminary plans for a 400-unit apartment complex.
The council told Wittwer that Mesquite is moving slowly and cautiously forward, trying to act in the best interests of the residents of Mesquite and meet the demands of incoming developers who want a piece of the action from the fastest-growing city in Nevada.
They said Clark County School District in Las Vegas has the responsibility for education, but they are sympathetic and aware of the problems and will help.