Cook files for board of education

Dave Cook, of Carson City, filed Tuesday to try reclaim the seat he held on the state Board of Education from 1996-2000.

Cook, 53, said Nevada's proficiency standards passed in the 1990s are now being used in the federal No Child Left Behind Act and could result in penalties against the state. He said those standards must be reviewed to ensure they are appropriate at every grade level - especially in math and English proficiency.

Cook also urged support for more independence by local school boards in making policy decisions. He said members of the state board have tried to restrict county boards and "should be reminded of the limits of their authority."

He said he wants to work on charter school regulations, which he said now make it difficult to start charter schools in many of Nevada's counties. He said the regulations should be fair and even-handed in all counties. The district includes Douglas, Carson City, south Washoe County to the Mount Rose Highway and part of the Reno-Sparks area east of Virginia Street.

He teaches economics and business at Western Nevada Community College.