Tuesday, March 22, 2011 | 3:43 p.m.
Sun Archives
- At struggling Chaparral, respected coach hopes district sees ‘family’ amid restructuring (3-21-11)
- School District: Restructuring of 5 schools in best interest of students (3-11-11)
- Elizondo Elementary named fifth school to face reorganization (3-10-11)
- Students protest district’s plan to reorganize schools (3-9-11)
Sun Coverage
The three principals who will be inheriting some of the schools involved in a controversial turnaround program were identified Tuesday by the Clark County School District.
New principals are being appointed for three of the five schools that are applying for a federal School Improvement Grant, which requires at least half of the schools’ staff to be replaced.
The district said Keith France will be the new principal of Elizondo Elementary School, Antonio Rael will be principal at Mojave High School and Dave Wilson will be principal at Chaparral High School.
The principals will take over the schools after the school year ends.
All three currently are principals at other schools. France is at Lincoln Elementary, Rael is at Fremont Middle and Wilson is at Virgin Valley High.
The district announced earlier this month that is was applying for a grant to improve the three schools, as well as Hancock Elementary and Western High.
The grant is part of a federal program that awarded funds to eight states, including Nevada, with the goal of improving schools. Nevada received $9.4 million. The Clark County School District is asking for money to perform a “turnaround” program on the five schools beginning in the fall.
How much of the funding the district will receive won’t be known until the state Department of Education announces the awards in May.
The program requires principals at schools who have been in their positions for more than three years to be replaced, leaving only Western and Hancock with the same principals next year.
In addition, all staff at the schools will have to reapply for their positions and the grant says only a maximum of 50 percent can be rehired.
The schools would then get extra money to reduce class sizes, offer longer school days or for other programs.
The district has said no one is being fired or laid off, as staff members who are not rehired will be able to get jobs at other schools.
With a new principal and a new mascot, Elizondo Elementary School, located in industrial outskirts of North Las Vegas, hopes to successfully turn the school’s level of achievement around. The school is under pressure to improve test scores, and with only 19 of last year’s 110 fifth-graders passing the writing test, it has some of the district’s lowest scores.
More than 65 percent of Elizondo students are classified as having low socio-economic status. With a high transiency rate and a large Hispanic population, the school is focused on working with students to overcome their familial and financial changes.
This year, more than half the teachers have been replaced and student achievement is on the top of the list. Principal Keith France has extended the school day by 70 minutes. Students must now wear uniforms, lunch breaks are staggered and students are let out of school at different locations around campus by grade level to curb bullying.
Although Elizondo offers an unique full-day kindergarten program that benefits many low-income families, the program has caused class sizes to swell above the state average of 30 students per kindergarten class.
Elizondo differs from other Clark County schools not only because it’s a turnaround school, but because it’s also managed by EdisonLearning Inc., a controversial New York-based for-profit education company that has had mixed success. The school still must abide by district academic standards and policies.
- Year built:
- 1998
- Mascot:
- Bulldogs
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Keith France (2011)
- School motto:
- “Learners today, leaders tomorrow”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 654
- School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Aida Ahmed
Chaparral High School has seen better days.
Once among the top performing schools in the Clark County School District, Chaparral High is undergoing changes to counter dismal test scores and the lowest graduation rate in the district.
The campus located near East Flamingo Road and U.S. 95 is one of five turnaround schools not meeting the expectations outlined in No Child Left Behind.
Chaparral is now looking to clean up its reputation, touching every aspect of the school from restrooms to test scores.
Changes weren’t received well by students who openly protested the cuts to faculty and the new order that banned the use of cell phones and music players during the school day.
Under stricter rules, tardy students are locked out of classrooms, bathroom breaks during class time aren’t allowed and the lunch hour was pushed back to 1:40 p.m.
Superintendent Dwight Jones told students he’s not settling for half successes.
“Right now, 50 percent of the kids in this school don’t graduate high school. Is that acceptable to you? Think about that. Right now, some of the friends that you’re with aren’t going to graduate. Is that OK? That’s unacceptable to me. I think you guys ought to kick all of us out.”
- Year built:
- 1971
- Mascot:
- Cowboys
- Principal (Year Hired):
- David Wilson (2011)
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,250
- School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
Mojave High School is Rattler Nation, but really it’s home to underdogs.
Minutes from the Nellis Air Force Base the school is nestled near Commerce Street and West Ann Road, an area littered with foreclosed homes.
The school is attended by many students who are underprivileged or at-risk. After Mojave failed to meet No Child Left Behind standards it became one of five Clark County Schools determined to do a 180.
In order to make the turnaround a reality, Mojave has implemented new faculty, extended the school day by 20 minutes and is geared towards boosting school spirit.
“The problem we have right now is that our children aren’t proud of their own school,” Mojave principal Antonio Rael explained an August interview. “When our children begin to take pride in our school, our community will follow.”
- Year built:
- 1997
- Mascot:
- Rattle Snake
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Antonio Rael (2001)
- School motto:
- “Promoting Achievement, Creating Success”
- Mission Statement:
- “The Mission of the Mojave High School Community is to provide a safe learning environment that will empower students to develop excellence, pride, respect, and skills necessary for future success.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,000
- School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
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