Emily Richmond

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Clark County schools ponder an Arizona exodus: Fleeing families might add English-language learners to district rolls; Monday, Aug. 2, 2010; Arizona’s incendiary immigration law has Clark County education officials keeping a close eye on enrollment for the upcoming academic year because of the potential influx of students fleeing the Grand Canyon State.
Budget crisis slows help for troubled schools: Troubled West Las Vegas schools targeted for help, but budget crisis puts solutions on the back burner; Friday, July 30, 2010; Nearly a year ago, a report on a 15-year effort to improve education at six elementary schools serving West Las Vegas painted a portrait of students isolated by race, poverty and low achievement.
Educated populace is the living legacy of Kenny Guinn: UNLV student pays silent tribute to former governor for creating the Millennium Scholarship program; Wednesday, July 28, 2010; In his crisp dress blues and gold-trimmed belt, Spc. Matthew Andenoro is a picture-perfect soldier. Soon he will take his place outside St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church, as part of the honorary color guard at Tuesday’s funeral Mass for former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn.
Hundreds honor former Gov. Kenny Guinn at funeral: Guinn eulogized as 'great citizen of Nevada'; Tuesday, July 27, 2010; Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn was remembered Tuesday as a common man with an uncommon sense of duty. More than 1,200 people filled the pews at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church on West Sahara Avenue for the two-hour funeral Mass.
Former Gov. Kenny Guinn had lasting influence on schools: Former governor also led Clark County School District, UNLV; Saturday, July 24, 2010; Shortly after serving as interim president of UNLV in 1996, Kenny Guinn learned that a young graduate student’s husband had been killed, leaving her destitute.
Serving on School Board a big job with little voter interest: School Board elections often decided by fraction of electorate; Friday, July 23, 2010; The Clark County School District receives more tax dollars than any other entity in the state. It’s also the state’s largest public employer, with more than 38,000 employees.
Some teachers moving to Nevada struggle with licensing process: Sunday, July 18, 2010; Ira Madnikoff seemed to be just the kind of social studies teacher the Clark County School District was eager to hire. He came from Florida with four years’ experience and a strong track record, and he had a law degree to boot.
Yearly school progress report delayed at state Ed Department: Thursday, July 15, 2010; If there’s one announcement that has every principal of Clark County’s more than 350 public schools on edge, it’s whether his or her campus will have been deemed a failure by the federal government.
Its leader gone, Nevada State College left in limbo: Saturday, July 10, 2010; You would see them at campus forums, scattered in the audience at Board of Regents meetings and holding signs at community rallies to protest cuts to higher education.
Empowerment schools work, but may not be for all: Friday, July 9, 2010; A new study of the Clark County School District’s “empowerment” program found strong academic achievement by many students, but made it clear that changing the management style of a campus is no silver bullet to improving performance.
Aging School District workforce requires more accommodations: District has spent millions over the years on ADA compliance; Thursday, July 8, 2010; The Clark County School District is spending more time and money to accommodate its steadily aging workforce, including moving people to less physically demanding positions, buying special equipment to help them do their jobs and even remodeling campus facilities.
Fred Maryanski remembered for dedication to Nevada State College, family: Wednesday, July 7, 2010; If Nevada State College President Fred Maryanski had a motto, it might have been “pay it forward.” That’s why it was particularly fitting that two of the nurses who helped care for him in his final days were graduates of NSC, said Maryanski’s son David, speaking at a celebration of his father’s life today at the Henderson Convention Center.
A comparison of the gubernatorial candidates' education plans: Wednesday, July 7, 2010; Here’s where gubernatorial candidates Rory Reid and Brian Sandoval agree — the current K-12 education system is failing students and shortchanging Nevada’s prospects for a vibrant economy and an educated workforce.
Few parents emerge to help solve dropout crisis: District calls community meeting in hunt for ideas; Friday, July 2, 2010; Given that just one person showed up for a recent forum to gather the public’s input on the search for a new superintendent, Clark County School Board member Deanna Wright was setting a low bar for Wednesday’s community meeting to address the district’s dropout crisis.
UNLV president driven despite harsh cutbacks: Thursday, July 1, 2010; With his tenure as president of UNLV approaching its first anniversary, Neal Smatresk says he’s looking back at “the best of years and the worst of years.” Nevada’s higher education system has endured unprecedented cuts in state funding. UNLV is cutting academic affairs spending by $4 million and trimming another $5.7 million from support areas.
Brian Sandoval lays out education plan, backs vouchers: Tuesday, June 29, 2010; Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval wants parents to be able to use vouchers to send their children to private schools, and opt out of the public education system.
Under principal’s guidance, Valley sports a scholarly look: Principal rewarded with national recognition for leading turnaround; Tuesday, June 29, 2010; When he was in high school, Ron Montoya considered himself a big-time jock and saw himself becoming a Division I college basketball coach.
Program would help at-risk children from cradle to college: Friday, June 25, 2010; Southern Nevada has long struggled to build a sense of community, and now a crossroads of sorts is approaching. A new federal grant program appears to be tailor-made for the Las Vegas Valley — hundreds of millions of dollars to help at-risk children succeed in school and life.
Cost cutting at schools pits books vs. personnel: Survey of principals shows majority would trim supplies budget; Thursday, June 24, 2010; A majority of Clark County principals would rather have less money to spend on textbooks and other classroom supplies than have fewer fellow administrators on campuses. The district is planning to eliminate 89 deans and assistant principals to help balance its budget.
In theory, School District consulting fee will pay for itself: Grant money pays law firm, which watches for more grant money; Tuesday, June 22, 2010; The Clark County School District spent $6.8 million — almost entirely from federal grants — to pay for consultants over six months. It plans to spend another $1,800 per month to make sure it doesn’t miss out on more.
Breaking the habit of skipping school: New approaches seek to get to the root of truancy, a major contributor to Nevada’s low graduation rate; Sunday, June 20, 2010; With Nevada still reeling from the latest national report to lambaste its education system, educators and community advocates want the spotlight on what they say is a key factor in the Silver State’s dismal graduation rate — too many students skipping school.
Graduation rate in state bad, but is it this bad?: Thursday, June 17, 2010; Let’s get this out of the way — Nevada’s high school graduation rate, no matter which of the multitude of formulas is used to calculate it, is dismal. But the Silver State took a particularly severe drubbing in the latest report from Education Week.
Ad points to accomplishments of high school seniors: Ex-first lady collects stats, donations for a full page of good news; Wednesday, June 16, 2010; Opening up the newspaper a few weeks ago, an advertisement caught the eye of Sandy Miller, former first lady of Nevada and namesake of an elementary school.
School District’s budget woes prompt shuffling of administrators: Tuesday, June 15, 2010; With the Clark County School District eliminating nearly 90 assistant principal and dean positions to save money, employees will be reassigned to work with either elementary or high school students for the first time in their careers.
Long road to graduation: Faces of adult education: Monday, June 14, 2010; When the economy struggles, Nevada’s Adult Education programs thrive. This year was no exception in the Clark County School District, which served nearly 21,000 students between August and June.
Sharp Sun reader discovers errors on practice science test: Thursday, June 10, 2010; Jon Shapiro, an electrical engineer, couldn’t help himself when he saw an Internet link in the Sun to a practice high school science exam. He knew he was smart. So how would he measure up on the test? He found the questions challenging and relevant, covering a complex range of the subject matter.
Jim Rogers offers to lead Clark County School District for free: Wednesday, June 9, 2010; Businessman and past university system Chancellor Jim Rogers on Wednesday offered the Clark County School Board his services as superintendent, making himself available free of charge through July 2013.
Sharron Angle vows to 'take back' Harry Reid's Senate seat: Tuesday, June 8, 2010; Sharron Angle ended her primary election campaign surge Tuesday hoping to carry that same momentum into the general election. Her goal: take down Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Physical education classes to feel strain of the fiscal fix: Class sizes to grow at a time when physical fitness is in spotlight; Monday, June 7, 2010; For all the concerns about crowded classrooms, imagine for a moment the effects of crowded gym classes, with physical education teachers trying to manage more than 80 students at a time. That’s the case at some Clark County schools, and will become increasingly commonplace in August, because of budget cuts.
A grateful community bids a final farewell to Barbara Greenspun: Friday, June 4, 2010; About 700 mourners — family, friends, celebrities, elected officials and beneficiaries of her philanthropy — offered their collective goodbye Thursday to Barbara Greenspun, a woman who was described by her oldest child as more than just the fabric that helped bind the community. “In many respects, she has been the seamstress,” Brian Greenspun said of his mother. “She is everywhere we go in this community. Her charitable and civic good works touch everything that touches us.”
Chamber of Commerce takes a fresh look at schools: New leader sees more partnerships than opposition after tour; Thursday, June 3, 2010; As the new president and CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Matt Crosson has spent much of the past month getting a crash course on Southern Nevada.
‘No Child’ law not a hit with U.S. Senate hopefuls: Candidates agree act is flawed but differ on how to improve education; Tuesday, June 1, 2010; Whoever is elected to Congress in November will review the No Child Left Behind law, looking for ways to improve the landmark federal legislation that uses standardized tests to judge schools’ progress.
Road to graduation runs through science test for Class of 2010: Early predictions were that state’s graduation rate would plummet with new proficiency exam students can take; Thursday, May 27, 2010; When the word spread a few years ago that beginning with the Class of 2010 Nevada’s students would have to pass a science proficiency test to earn a high school diploma, cynics predicted the graduation rate would plummet in Clark County.
Popular principal backed into corner by federal test rules: A principal’s impact is determined by criteria set by law, not by the testimonies of those for whom she is a beloved leader; Sunday, May 23, 2010; Good morning, my loves!
The principal can’t make it down the hall without stopping to hug someone. The little ones clasp her knees, the older ones reach for her waist. When she walks into a classroom to observe a teacher, the students sit up a little straighter. They offer shy smiles and enthusiastic waves.
Program for gifted students on hold amid budget crunch: Tuesday, May 18, 2010; For families of the valley’s smartest children, the news back in December was welcomed: A $600,000 federal appropriation would help the Clark County School District pursue plans to start a stand-alone, $2.5 million academy for highly gifted students.
Magnet schools: How can success be replicated best?: Amid most uncertain economic times, Clark County school officials want to boost the options available to students; Monday, May 17, 2010; By all measures, Gilbert Elementary Magnet School for Communication and Creative Arts is a success story. The North Las Vegas campus boasts a diverse student population with high test scores in all core subject areas, an active PTA and almost no staff turnover.
Six talented teachers talk about merits of merit pay: Sunday, May 16, 2010; Clark County’s classrooms can be pressure cookers for teachers under the gun to prove they’re doing their best. And no wonder. Entire campuses can be labeled as failing if just a few students fall short on standardized tests, which can come back to haunt teachers.
UNLV president backs proposal for program cuts: Monday, May 10, 2010; UNLV President Neal Smatresk today endorsed a campus committee’s recommendations to eliminate degree programs in educational leadership, marriage and family therapy, sports education leadership, recreation and sports management, informatics and urban horticulture.
School District donors still giving, but will they outlast need?: Monday, May 10, 2010; The Clark County School District is experiencing record levels of need, as students and their families struggle with the fallout of the prolonged recession.
School District bears financial weight of partially shelved software upgrade: Friday, May 7, 2010; In 2008, the budget crisis forced the Clark County School District to abandon plans to finish installation of a complex computer system that had consumed four years and $35 million. The upgrades for two important departments would be delayed until funding became available.
Teachers accept 'shared sacrifice': Union gives OK to freeze pay raises, a deal that defends against layoffs; Friday, May 7, 2010; The teachers union tentatively agreed Thursday to a one-year freeze on pay increases based on experience, a move that will help the Clark County School District close the remaining $28 million in its budget gap.
UNLV official touting her work in D.C. — with her job on the line: Tuesday, May 4, 2010; While Pamela Salazar is testifying on Capitol Hill today about the importance of training for school leaders, the UNLV Faculty Senate will hear a report on whether the department that provides that kind of training should be eliminated.
School District, union reach agreement to save jobs: Monday, May 3, 2010; The Clark County School District has hammered out a tentative, three-year agreement with the support employees’ union that both sides say will save jobs in the midst of massive budget cuts.
UNLV outlines programs suggested for elimination: Monday, May 3, 2010; Educational leadership, recreation sports management and informatics are among the departments recommended for elimination at UNLV.
School District decision on 9-month schools likely Wednesday: Tuesday, April 27, 2010; A decision is expected Wednesday on which Clark County School District year-round elementary campuses will switch to nine-month calendars for the 2010-11 school year.
Recruiting blitz on even as teachers await layoffs: School District has dozens of openings in specialized subjects; Tuesday, April 27, 2010; Here’s one of the paradoxes facing the Clark County School District: Even as hundreds of teachers await word on whether their positions are being eliminated, recruiters are on a nationwide hunt to fill hundreds of critical, hard-to-fill jobs.
Higher education group to endorse Rory Reid for governor: Monday, April 26, 2010; The Nevada Faculty Alliance, representing about 650 members at the state’s eight higher education institutions, confirmed today it is endorsing Democrat Rory Reid for governor.
‘Almost catastrophic’ budget cuts on horizon for Clark County schools: Thursday, April 22, 2010; The $145 million budget shortfall that the Clark County School District is still trying to reconcile is not nearly as bad as the crushing deficits it will face in 2012 and 2013, according to preliminary projections.
Clark County teachers sweating out the budget crisis: Thursday, April 22, 2010; It’s just before 5 p.m. and the cafeteria at Del Sol High School on East Patrick Lane is filling with elementary and secondary school teachers, tired after a long day at work and wondering about their futures. About 200 seats will be filled with a cross-section of teachers — veterans with decades of experience in the Clark County School District and younger ones starting their careers.
CSN budget cuts to limit expansion at time of higher enrollment: Friday, April 16, 2010; Cutting 6.9 percent from the College of Southern Nevada’s operating budget will force a de facto enrollment cap and jeopardize the institution’s “open access” mission.