UNLV's Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and the Clark County Classroom Teachers Association are hosting a public forum that will bring together some 100 local residents to talk about public education.

Titled the "Public Conversation about Public Schools," the event is set for June 16, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Cashman Field Center.

Anyone interested in participating can call the Clark County Classroom Teachers Association at 733-3063.

This is the first such forum in the country to be presented as part of the Public Project sponsored by the National Education Association. Its purpose is to demonstrate that citizens in Clark County care about the future of public education and are committed to taking the necessary actions to put students first in the county's schools and communities, according to a letter from CCCTA President Sue Strand announcing the forum.

Other purposes include:
-- to foster productive discussion and improve communication among members of the general public, community leaders, and school personnel;
-- to help citizens begin to build the common ground that can lead to a better school community;
-- to advance and promote quality public education in Clark County.

Dr. Martha Watson, dean of the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, will serve as lead moderator of the forum, with assistance from other faculty moderators.

"This event is part of our effort to promote community partnering and involvement," said Dr. Tom Sexton, associate dean of the College of Urban Affairs. "It fits in nicely with the college's long-term agenda of promoting community partnering and developing academic programming that addresses community needs."

The information generated by the forum will be forwarded to the Clark County Classroom Teachers Association and will lead to recommendations to the Clark County School District and its board of trustees. CCCTA will consider establishing appropriate programs to address needs identified by forum participants.

The College of Urban Affairs plans to broker partnerships between UNLV and community organizations to address issues raised during the forum.

For more information, call CCCTA at 733-3063.