Paul Takahashi

Education Reporter

Paul was born in New York City and grew up in a New Jersey suburb, exit 163. He studied journalism at Northwestern University because he loves to tell stories about issues affecting the everyday lives of ordinary Americans. Previous to joining the Sun in 2010, Paul helped cover Barack Obama's election night rally from Grant Park for a Chicago TV station, and filed video stories from South Africa.

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District to weigh price increase for school lunches: Saturday, June 2, 2012; Families may pay up to an additional $45 per child next year under a school lunch price increase being considered Monday by the Clark County School Board. The increase is due to new federal requirements that take effect next year under the Healthy Hungry Free Kids Act of 2010.
Regents approve on-campus stadium proposal for UNLV: Friday, June 1, 2012; Nevada’s higher education leaders unanimously approved an exclusive partnership agreement on Friday between UNLV and developers of a “transformational” mega-events center on the northwest corner of the Maryland Parkway campus.
Wall Street lowers School District's bond rating: Friday, June 1, 2012; Two major Wall Street debt-rating agencies downgraded the Clark County School District’s bond rating this week, complicating its long-term plans to upgrade and maintain its school buildings.
School District applauds at-risk students, community as graduation day nears: Friday, June 1, 2012; The Clark County School District recognized about 500 at-risk students Thursday for beating the odds to make it to their high school graduation.
Financial education pilot program in Clark County high schools shows promise: Thursday, May 31, 2012; In the aftermath of the Great Recession, policymakers across the country have turned their attention toward teaching youngsters about personal finance. It’s not enough to teach reading and math, social studies and science, lawmakers said. Students need to understand how to avoid the very pitfalls that has trapped so many Americans with underwater mortgages and on the unemployment line. More than 20 states now have laws on the books that require public schools to teach financial concepts relevant to the stock market, mortgages and credit card debt.
Tears shed as fallen soldiers remembered at Memorial Day ceremony in Boulder City: Gov. Sandoval announces plans to improve Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery; Monday, May 28, 2012; A lone soldier in military fatigues walked up and down green lawns blanketed with American flags, pausing briefly in front of each headstone — there are more than 23,000 of them at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.
Police searching for suspect after shooting near UNLV: Monday, May 28, 2012; A man was sent to University Medical Center in critical condition Monday morning after being shot at his apartment complex just north of UNLV, Metro Police said.
14 schools earn five-star status in School District's high school rankings: Thursday, May 24, 2012; The Clark County School District released its high school rankings Thursday at Cimarron-Memorial High School. But unlike earlier this year, when elementary and middle school rankings were unveiled at a top-ranked, five-star school, the high school rankings were released at a one-star school.
Smoke takes toll on workers at outdoor businesses: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; The smoke that hovered Wednesday over the Las Vegas Valley was of special concern for local companies whose employees work primarily outdoors.
Unruly teachers union members cause a scene but can't deter layoff vote: Wednesday, May 16, 2012; The Clark County School District kept its promise. Since November, the district warned teachers that their jobs were in jeopardy if their union refused to make concessions. The Clark County Education Association stood its ground, fighting back vehemently for pay raises they argued were contractually theirs.
School District to lay off 1,015 teachers, literacy specialists: Wednesday, May 16, 2012; The beleaguered Clark County School District announced today it will send pink slips to 1,015 teachers and literacy specialists next month, triggering the worst-case scenario in dealing with a $64 million budget shortfall.
Graduation is first example high school senior wants to set for her daughter: Sunday, May 13, 2012; Evaleen Diaz plods up three flights of stairs at Western High School as rushing students course around her. At the top, the 18-year-old lets out a huge sigh. It is still early in the morning, but Diaz is spent. She’s pregnant. The news came as a surprise to her in December, when she was preparing for her last chance to pass the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam, a necessary step in earning her diploma. And if she’s going to provide the kind of life she wants for her daughter, Isabella, she needs that diploma.
As school year winds down, Chaparral students grade the turnaround: Saturday, May 12, 2012; Chaparral High School, previously identified as one of Clark County School District’s five worst-performing schools, is wrapping up its first year of a turnaround effort to improve student achievement and campus morale. On prom night, we asked seniors how they thought the year has gone.
Clark County named one of the best places for music education: Thursday, May 10, 2012; The Clark County School District was honored Thursday as one of the best communities in the nation for music education by a national nonprofit organization.
Outstanding rookie teachers honored at School Board meeting: Thursday, May 10, 2012; The Clark County School Board honored seven New Teachers of the Year on Thursday.
School Board approves four-day week for rural schools: Thursday, May 10, 2012; The Clark County School Board unanimously approved on Thursday a four-day school week for Goodsprings Elementary School and Sandy Valley Schools.
U.S. News 'looking into' reports of erroneous data in Best High Schools rankings: Wednesday, May 9, 2012; U.S. News and World Report is looking into a local high school’s ranking as the nation’s 13th-best public high school after its principal questioned the data used by the national magazine.
Teacher Appreciation Week lands as pink slips are being written: Tuesday, May 8, 2012; Clark County School District officials have planned spa treatments, show tickets and luncheons to celebrate teachers as part of national Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11.
U.S. News ranking of Green Valley High as 13th best in nation appears dubious: But principal welcomes the limelight, touts school's achievements; Tuesday, May 8, 2012; Green Valley High School is listed as the 13th best public high school in the nation, according to a U.S. News and World Report ranking. However, some of the student data that the national magazine is using for the Henderson high school are incorrect, calling into question the validity of U.S. News’ rankings. Green Valley High School Principal Jeff Horn alerted the Las Vegas Sun to the incorrect information late Monday night after U.S. News posted the rankings on its website.
Frustrated families protest school budget cuts, teacher layoffs: Monday, May 7, 2012; About 100 parents and students rallied at a local elementary school Monday afternoon to protest impending teacher layoffs and budget cuts. The group marched in front of Vegas Verdes Elementary School, located less than two miles from the School District’s administration building.
List details CCSD renovations to take place if voters OK November ballot initiative: Monday, May 7, 2012; The Clark County School District has released a list of school renovation projects that would be funded by a potential capital improvement plan.
School District to ask voters to OK six-year property tax increase for repairs and renovations: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; The Clark County School Board unanimously voted Wednesday to pursue a ballot question seeking voter approval for a six-year property tax increase to renovate and replace aging schools.
With pink slips looming, arbitration victory is bittersweet for teachers union: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; The Clark County School District is planning to lay off an untold number of teachers after an arbitrator sided with the teachers union on pay raises. The district has warned in the past that up to 1,350 licensed positions may be eliminated if the arbitrator sided with the union.
Clark County School District removes 'acting' portion of police chief's title: Tuesday, May 1, 2012; The Clark County School District named a new police chief on Tuesday in hopes of restoring public trust in a school police department embroiled in controversy. Chief James Ketsaa replaces Phil Arroyo, who resigned in January amid allegations that the School District police department covered up a November 2009 party that ended in a drunken driving-related traffic fatality.
Teacher arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure: Monday, April 30, 2012; A Clark County School District teacher was arrested Friday in connection with reports of public masturbation near a western Las Vegas Valley high school since December, Metro Police said.
Businesses make high school girl's wish for a muscle car come true: Sunday, April 29, 2012; Vanessa Cazares flashed a huge smile and fought back tears as the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation made her wish come true on Saturday.
First birthday ends in tragedy when family dog attacks and kills boy: Saturday, April 28, 2012; A 1-year-old boy died early Saturday after being attacked by his family's dog while celebrating his birthday Friday, Henderson Police said. The boy had been around the dog since he was born, police said.
Police release information about suspect in shooting that left two dead, two injured: Saturday, April 28, 2012; Police are seeking the public's help in locating Jose Alejandro Gonzales, a 22-year-old man previously only known as "Smokey," police said.
Fire damages vehicles in Red Rock Resort parking garage: Saturday, April 28, 2012; A vehicle fire in a Red Rock Resort parking garage damaged two vehicles Saturday afternoon, according to Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling.
Motorcyclist in critical condition after collision: Saturday, April 28, 2012; A motorcyclist is in critical condition after colliding with an SUV Saturday morning in the northeast Valley, Metro Police said.
Majority of county voters favor tax hike to fix schools, survey says: Friday, April 27, 2012; A little more than half of Clark County voters support a tax hike under consideration by the Clark County School District to fund a $5.3 billion school improvement plan over the next decade.
High school seniors face stark reality: Pass proficiency test or don't graduate: Thursday, April 26, 2012; Sergio Lopez stands before a dozen seniors, knowing full well the daunting task before them. The Chaparral High School science teacher and his students have just one week to prepare for the last administration of the high school proficiency exam this year. One last shot at graduation.
Mixed results reported in district's effort to get dropouts back to school: Majority of students committing to program still in school, but they represent only a minority of total dropouts; Tuesday, April 24, 2012; A Clark County School District program aimed at getting dropouts to return to school is proving somewhat successful – at least among those students that officials were able to persuade to get back into the classroom. The “Reclaim Your Future” program, launched this year under the leadership of new Superintendent Dwight Jones, was part of the district’s unprecedented effort to increase its abysmal high school graduation rate.
Two local seniors among prestigious National Merit Scholarship winners: Monday, April 23, 2012; Two Clark County School District students were recently named among the 2012 National Merit Scholars, a prestigious honor bestowed to just 1,000 distinguished high school seniors across the nation each year. Last week, Northwest Career and Technical Academy senior Kevin Jia-Shi Chen and Green Valley High School senior Jason Singh were among the first round of winners announced in the 57th annual scholarship program. Three more rounds of winners will be announced on May 2 and 23, and July 9.
UNLV's diversity on display at annual festival: Sunday, April 22, 2012; Exotic smells wafted across the UNLV campus quad as Brazilian Capoeria martial artists performed on the alumni amphitheater to the tune of percussive Berimbau instruments and drums.
As graduation day nears, burden of passing proficiency exams weighs heavily on seniors: Sunday, April 22, 2012; A few months ago, Laneisha Hopson learned she was just one point away from graduating in June.
Police officers shoot and kill woman after car theft: Saturday, April 21, 2012; A woman was shot to death early Saturday morning while offficers were investigating a report of a stolen vehicle, Metro Police said.
Brookings: Parents here pay double on housing to send children to our best performing elementary schools: Friday, April 20, 2012; Parents pay about $8,500 more a year to send their children to the best-performing elementary schools in Las Vegas -- the cost of buying homes in the neighborhoods served by those schools, a Brookings Institution report released Thursday concludes.
Teacher pays for advanced education only to face possible pay cut: Wednesday, April 18, 2012; These days, Andrew Slocum feels duped by the system to which he has devoted his life’s work. Last year, the Greenspun Junior High librarian shelled out nearly $10,000 on an advanced teaching certificate to further his career.
To gauge day-to-day effects of Mojave's turnaround, federal official goes to school: Monday, April 16, 2012; Joe Barison came to town last week to poke around, curious about the status of the turnaround process in Las Vegas schools.
NLV charter school, stable after a rough stretch, scores district OK: Friday, April 13, 2012; The Clark County School Board unanimously voted Thursday night to allow a two-star-ranked charter school in North Las Vegas to operate for another six years.
Budget deficits aside, School District moving forward on multimillion-dollar technology upgrades: Friday, April 13, 2012; Even as the cash-strapped Clark County School District faces a $64 million budget deficit next year, district officials are contemplating spending up to $65.1 million over the next several years to expand its technology offerings to students and teachers.
Clark County School District's tentative budget forecasts 1,350 layoffs in 'worst-case' scenario: Wednesday, April 11, 2012; Nearly 1,400 jobs may be cut if the Clark County School District doesn’t win its arbitration battle with its teachers union, according to a tentative budget proposal unanimously accepted Wednesday morning by the School Board.
$5.3 billion school bond proposal still in works; former first ladies stand ready to give support: Wednesday, April 11, 2012; As the Clark County School District contemplates a new, $5.3 billion capital program, four former Nevada first ladies filed paperwork Tuesday to form a political action committee to support the potential ballot initiative.
Trayvon Martin tragedy reverberates in Nevada: Las Vegas forum addresses racial profiling, state's self-defense law that is similar to Florida's; Wednesday, April 11, 2012; The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin have wide-reaching implications and lessons for the Las Vegas community, panelists at a UNLV forum Tuesday night said. The case of the 17-year-old Florida teenager who was shot to death in February by a neighborhood watch captain has galvanized the nation, sparking protests and hoodie gatherings.
Teacher cuts possible as Clark County School District prepares tentative budget: Saturday, April 7, 2012; The Clark County School District could shed hundreds of jobs as it faces a “worst-case” budget deficit of nearly $64 million next school year if it doesn’t win its arbitration battle with its teachers union, according to a tentative budget summary.
Field trip to Nevada mine a blast for teachers: Friday, April 6, 2012; The black charter bus rumbles down Pabco Road, heading for a rocky plot of land in the middle of the desert. Inside are 30 local teachers taking a field trip of sorts. It might seem like a strange kind of role reversal, but it’s spring break in Las Vegas.
National Science Olympiad organization decides Clark will represent Nevada in Orlando: Decision relies on rule requiring scoring challenge within 24 hours of competition's end; Tuesday, April 3, 2012; After a scoring snafu at a state science competition left two Las Vegas high schools squabbling over which would compete in the national tournament, the National Science Olympiad organization stepped in and made a ruling. Even though Centennial High School technically won the state championship, Clark High School will represent Nevada in the National Science Olympiad, according to a letter sent last week by the national organization’s executive board.
Western's turnaround progressing, high-ranking official finds in visit to school: Saturday, March 31, 2012; After an injection of $8.7 million in federal funding to turn around four of Las Vegas’ worst performing schools, the U.S. Department of Education’s second-in-command was curious about the results so far. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller on Thursday was in Las Vegas to tour Western High School, an inner-city “turnaround” school that received a three-year, $2.5 million School Improvement Grant last spring to radically change the culture of the chronically low-performing school.
Town hall seeks teachers’ solutions to dropout crisis: Thursday, March 29, 2012; “PBS NewsHour” correspondent Ray Suarez visited Chaparral High School on Wednesday as part of a national public education initiative – American Graduate – that aims to address the dropout crisis at 20 major school districts across the country.