It was a night for schools to celebrate ‘Cram Dynasty’

Valerie Miller

Tuesday, May 23, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

School bands played and cheerleaders entertained as hundreds of people showed up to bid a formal farewell to Brian Cram, the Clark County School District superintendent for the past 11 years.

Cram doesn't officially retire as superintendent until the end of July, but he was honored Monday at a reception at Desert Pines High School, 3800 Harris Ave.

Fresno, Calif., Superintendent Carlos Garcia takes the helm on July 5.

"It's been a wonderful run and a remarkable experience," Cram told the crowd. "There is nothing I would have rather done with my life."

Cram said he is "starting a new life" after his retirement. Cram, a widower, plans to remarry and buy a new house.

Cram was praised for leading the school district since May 1989 during a period of explosive growth. During Cram's tenure enrollment has nearly doubled from 111,482 to 217,139. Clark County has become the eighth-largest school district in the nation.

After the tribute, Cram gave some words of thanks.

"I'm grateful to the School Board for letting me stay around so long in a time when many superintendents only get to stay a few years," he said.

School Board President Mary Beth Scow praised Cram for his "deep and abiding concern for each child," and Assistant Superintendent Kay Carl referred to the last 11 years as the "Cram Dynasty."

After the event, Cram talked about the accomplishments that made him proudest.

"I think we have handled growth and done it in such a way that we've never forgotten the kids," Cram said. "I am also very pleased from the support we have received from the area chambers of commerce, because in a lot of parts of the country the school districts are at war with the business community, but it's the opposite here."

Cram said he realizes as much as anyone the importance of education provided in the school district because he was a product of it himself.

"In my life, the greatest gift I received was the opportunity to receive an education in Clark County. It changed my life and my children's lives and it will change my grandchildren's lives," he said. "I will always be grateful to those great teachers."

Cram has spent nearly 35 years in the school district, serving as a principal and assistant principal before becoming superintendent. Valerie Miller

is a reporter for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2319 or by e-mail at valerie@lasvegassun.com