School District recognizes contributors for $22 million of donations

By Paul Takahashi

Friday, Oct. 14, 2011 | 2 a.m.

The Clark County School District recognized more than 700 businesses and organizations Thursday for making a record $22 million of in-kind and financial donations last school year.

Hundreds of donors packed a ballroom at the Mirage for a breakfast and awards ceremony. The donor list included businesses, casinos, chambers of commerce, community groups, entertainers, financial institutions, health care providers, higher education institutions, and nonprofit and religious organizations.

The donations came as the School District has cut $283 million from its budget over the last two school years.

Clark County Schools Superintendent Dwight Jones thanked the district’s partners for their support, which he said would help the School District raise student achievement. He shared the sobering statistic that 10,000 of the 20,600 seniors enrolled this year might not graduate or graduate with only a certificate of attendance.

“The community owns these schools and ultimately, the schools will be what the community demands and expects,” he said. “This support is going to put us in a better position, so we’re not dealing with a crisis every year where approximately half of our young people are not prepared to graduate.”

The School District presented a number of awards to donors who have made significant donations over the years.

The donations were secured with the help of the district’s School-Community Partnership office, which began in 1983 as a pilot program with seven businesses supporting seven schools. In the 28 years since then, the program has grown to hundreds of businesses.

The 10-year Shining Star Award was given to the Bank of Nevada, CenturyLink, New Hope Church of God in Christ, North Las Vegas Chamber Foundation, Spread the Word Nevada and Station Casinos.

The 15-year Shining Star Awards was given to National Security Technologies, Nevada State Bank and WSI Nevada Team. The 20-year Shining Star Award was given to United Healthcare.

Volunteers from the community, AXA Advisors, Desert Springs United Methodist

Church, Nevada Title Company, National Security Technologies and United

Healthcare also were recognized for offering support and guidance to at-risk middle school students through the Stay In School Mentoring Project.

Three volunteers — Bernard Plaskett, John Bernstein and Patti Goin — were honored for their five, 10 and 10-plus years volunteering, respectively, in the Professionals and Youth Building A Commitment program. Volunteers motivate at-risk students to stay in school through their personal stories about overcoming life’s obstacles.

Cox Communications received the Outstanding Corporation award for sponsoring

a variety of initiatives over the years, including the Homework Hotline and annual back-to-school fairs.

Special recognition awards were given to The Manilow Music Project for donating musical instruments, Pretty For Prom for providing dresses to 15 at-risk high school girls, the Southern Nevada Health District for supporting health initiatives, the Starkey Foundation for providing free hearing aids, The Foundation to Assist Young Musicians for supporting early music training and UNLV for a variety of initiatives, including the Rebel Reading Challenge.

Jim Gibson of Silver State Trailways’ Las Vegas office, Smile Generation, and Snell & Wilmer LLP were recognized for partnering with the Communities In Schools program, which connects volunteers with schools to provide children with access to basic services and resources such as eye exams, dental care and legal help.

The Kenny Guinn Blue Ribbon Award — named after the former governor and superintendent — honors a community partner for having a direct impact on student achievement.

This year’s award went to Gordie Hill, who created the Glenn A. Hill Memorial. For 25 years, Hill has supported Helen J. Stewart Elementary School through volunteers and funds raised through the memorial. Last year, he donated $20,000 to help Stewart students with disabilities.

“You are the evidence that we do have a community consciousness,” said School Board President Carolyn Edwards, addressing the hundreds of donors. “You are so important to the work that we do.”