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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With negotiations underway, district finds its superintendent salary is competitive: Friday, June 14, 2013; As contract negotiations continue with new Clark County Schools Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky, district officials learned the salary for their top administrator is in line with those of its peer districts. Pat Skorkowsky was appointed to a four-year term earlier this month. His predecessor, Dwight Jones, who abruptly resigned in March for personal reasons, was paid a base salary of $270,000 per year.
New regulations for evaluating Nevada teachers win approval: Friday, June 14, 2013; The Nevada Board of Education unanimously adopted legislative changes to a new teacher evaluation system rolling out this fall. In 2011, state lawmakers mandated a four-tiered rating system that grades teachers as being "highly effective," "effective," "minimally effective" or "ineffective" based on student test scores and how well teachers model good teaching practices.
Think tank's campaign again puts it on collision course with teachers union: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; The Nevada Policy Research Institute is launching another campaign to encourage teachers to drop their union memberships.
'I am a reformer': New schools chief Skorkowsky shares plans for district's future: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; Pat Skorkowsky has big plans to move the Clark County School District forward. The new superintendent sat down with the Sun's editorial board on Tuesday to share his vision for the nation's fifth largest school district.
Las Vegas High senior ends K-12 years on perfect notes: Student earns rare feat: straight A's and no absences each year of classes; Wednesday, June 12, 2013; When Natasha Greene was in elementary school, she set herself a lofty goal: Make it to graduation without missing a single day of school. Friday, the 18-year-old senior did just that, graduating from Las Vegas High School with a perfect attendance record from kindergarten through 12th grade. That means for the past 13 years — or 2,340 school days — Greene has never missed a day of school. Not a single one. Not only that, Greene finished her schooling with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.
Nevada’s high school graduation rate third lowest in nation: Tuesday, June 11, 2013; Despite making some gains, Nevada has the third worst graduation rate in the nation, according to an Education Week report released last week. In fact, the Clark County School District was still named the nation's third biggest "dropout epicenter," behind New York City Public Schools and Los Angeles Unified School District. Education Week projects 9,552 nongraduates in Clark County's class of 2013, up from 5,754 nongraduates last year.
Policy prevents UNLV student paper from accepting ad criticizing congressman: Saturday, June 8, 2013; UNLV's student newspaper this week rejected a left-leaning political advertisement against Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., citing a university policy for student-funded publications to refuse political and religious advertisements.
Stars not in alignment as state unveils its school-ranking system: 20 of Clark County School District's 'top-performing' schools downgraded in Nevada's star system; Friday, June 7, 2013; More than 100 Clark County public schools' ratings were downgraded under Nevada's new school accountability system unveiled Friday morning. The downgraded schools included 20 "top-performing" campuses stripped of their five-star rankings and demoted to a middling three stars.
UNLV president's contract renewed, base pay restored to prerececession level: Thursday, June 6, 2013; Nevada's higher education leaders on Thursday unanimously renewed UNLV President Neal Smatresk's contract for another four years. Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Dan Klaich recommended Smatresk remain at the helm of UNLV after an outside consultant found wide community support for the popular university president. Smatresk's total annual compensation will be $447,424.
Regents to provide $2.6 million 'bridge' for Northern Nevada colleges facing cuts under state's new funding formula: Thursday, June 6, 2013; Nevada's higher education leaders unanimously approved $2.6 million in "mitigation" funding to help Northern Nevada community colleges transition to a new funding formula. Gov. Brian Sandoval's budget, approved by the Nevada Legislature just a few days ago, includes a new funding formula for Nevada's seven colleges and universities.
Nevada High School Proficiency Exam likely out for students in Class of 2016 and beyond: Clark County School Board briefed on changes in state law; Wednesday, June 5, 2013; The dreaded high school proficiency exams are being phased out. Starting in the 2014-15 school year, thousands of high school sophomores, juniors and seniors no longer will have to take the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam.
State's school ratings – to be released Friday – closely resemble CCSD's star rankings: Wednesday, June 5, 2013; The Nevada Department of Education will release its first star rating data for 317 Clark County schools on Friday. Over the past two years, the Clark County School District released star ratings as part of its school rankings list, known as the School Performance Framework. The idea behind the rating system was to allow families to determine the best schools for their children and for educators to model best teaching practices at the top-ranked five-star schools.
New CCSD superintendent: We must 'do better by our students': Wednesday, June 5, 2013; Patrick Skorkowsky has some big shoes to fill as the new superintendent of the Clark County School District. The School District offered the Las Vegas Sun a 10-minute interview with Skorkowsky on Tuesday.
School Board reappoints Skorkowsky as CCSD superintendent: Monday, June 3, 2013; The Clark County School Board unanimously reappointed Pat Skorkowsky as superintendent on Monday amid concerns about the transparency of his initial appointment two weeks ago.
Complaint alleges School Board again violating open meetings law in redo of superintendent appointment: Friday, May 31, 2013; Former Clark County School Board candidate Kevinn Donovan filed a second complaint against the Clark County School District on Thursday, alleging a meeting scheduled for Monday to redo Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky's appointment was not properly noticed.
Wife says former principal being thrown under bus over national conference charges: Friday, May 31, 2013; At least one Clark County School Board member and Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky knew of Sunrise Mountain High School's plans to host a national conference that taxpayers are now being forced to bail out.
City's oldest Catholic school falls victim to low enrollment: St. Joseph to close doors at end of year; Thursday, May 30, 2013; After a decade of declining student enrollment, Las Vegas' oldest Catholic school will shutter its doors at the end of this school year. St. Joseph Catholic School, which opened in 1948, no longer has the funds to continue operating past July, said the Rev. Dave Casaleggio, who oversees the school.
Whitney Elementary basking in afterglow of Bieber visit, donation: Thursday, May 30, 2013; Teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber surprised hundreds of students at Whitney Elementary School earlier this month when he presented a $150,000 check to help feed the school's many homeless and low-income students.
Majestic seeking support for off-campus stadium for UNLV football: Thursday, May 30, 2013; Majestic Realty has a new plan for an off-campus UNLV football stadium, but it won't go far without support from the very university that dropped its private developer partner two months ago.
New dean of UNLV's hotel college plucked from faculty: Wednesday, May 29, 2013; UNLV professor Stowe Shoemaker was named the new dean of the university's world-renowned hotel college on Wednesday. Shoemaker, a Lincy scholar at the Harrah College of Hotel Administration, will assume his new position on July 1, said UNLV's Executive Vice President John Valery White. Shoemaker succeeds Don Snyder, who stepped down to lead the UNLV Now stadium project.
School District on the hook to pay for conference the board didn't know about: CCSD is investigating former principal of Sunrise Mountain High School; Tuesday, May 28, 2013; A former principal is under investigation and taxpayers could have to cover as much as $100,000 because a local high school failed to raise enough money to host a national conference for student councils.
Legislation tasks campus authority with defining, designing new UNLV stadium: Saturday, May 25, 2013; The UNLV stadium bill was gutted of a key provision this week: creation of a special tax district around the university to help finance a proposed on-campus stadium. Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick introduced an amended bill Thursday that has no language pertaining to a tax-increment financing district, which would have allowed any new tax money generated by the stadium to help fund its construction.
Federal charges filed in April fire at facility for children with autism: Friday, May 24, 2013; A Las Vegas man accused of setting fire to a local children's autism learning facility in April now faces federal charges. Samuel Powers, 24, was charged with two felony counts – one for arson and one for possession of unregistered firearms (Molotov cocktails) – according to an announcement Friday by Daniel Bogden, U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
In complaint over Skorkowsky selection, lack of transparency alleged: Thursday, May 23, 2013; Amid some public concern about the transparency of Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky's appointment on Tuesday, a complaint has been filed with the Nevada Attorney General's office alleging a violation of the state's open meeting law.
Tears, smiles, hugs mark Air Force officer's emotional homecoming at children's school: Thursday, May 23, 2013; Jordan Powell was listening to her principal talk about the significance of Memorial Day when she received the surprise of a lifetime. Her dad, an Air Force pilot who had just returned home from Afghanistan, suddenly appeared at her classroom door. "Daddy!" the 10-year-old cried out. "I missed you."
Tax district aspect to UNLV Now stadium bill gets a tweak: Thursday, May 23, 2013; A tax-increment financing plan may no longer be part of the UNLV stadium bill, according to discussions between university officials and lawmakers.
Skorkowsky appointed CCSD superintendent in unanimous vote: Tuesday, May 21, 2013; The Clark County School Board unanimously appointed Pat Skorkowsky as superintendent of the nation's fifth-largest school district on Tuesday night.
A house for Mother's Day, a viral video for Las Vegas son: Tuesday, May 21, 2013; Dao Vahn lost nearly everything to cervical cancer. The 52-year-old mother lost her health, her house and almost her business. Vahn's youngest son, Michael Luangrath, did everything he could to help his single mother. Luangrath dropped out of college and quit his job to care for his mother.
CCSD decision on superintendent search tabled for at least a day: Monday, May 20, 2013; The Clark County School Board delayed its vote on conducting a national superintendent search after a 4 1/2-hour special meeting Monday, postponing its decision until Tuesday evening.
Scarlet and Gray to observe golden anniversary commencement Sunday: Saturday, May 18, 2013; UNLV is celebrating its 50th commencement, a milestone that represents incredible growth for the university. UNLV began as an extension campus of UNR in 1951 with 12 full-time students and 16 part-time students who met in the dressing rooms of Las Vegas High School's auditorium.
From music to TV to the Strip: UNLV's famous grads: Saturday, May 18, 2013; ESPN broadcaster Kenny Mayne, longtime NBA owner George Maloof and Food Network personality Guy Fieri are among the famous who have earned degrees from UNLV.
Boy, 15, run over by SUV and killed during theft of iPad: Friday, May 17, 2013; A teenager died Thursday after a man grabbed an iPad out of his hands and fled in an SUV that ran over the boy as he struggled to hold on to the device.
Volunteer high school coach arrested on student sex charges: Thursday, May 16, 2013; A female volunteer basketball coach at Shadow Ridge High School was arrested Thursday on two counts of sexual misconduct with a student and one count of child luring, according to Clark County School District Police.
Nevada kindergartners' access to health care, insurance lacking, UNLV survey finds: Thursday, May 16, 2013; More Nevada children are entering kindergarten without health insurance and face greater barriers to health care access, according to an UNLV report released Thursday.
CCSD budget, unburdened by cutbacks, wins easy approval: Wednesday, May 15, 2013; The Clark County School Board unanimously approved a $2.1 billion final budget for next school year, which includes funding for nearly 50 new special education teaching assistants and summer remediation programs for middle and high school students.
Children with school-issued iPads are tempting targets, Metro Police say: 83 iPads have been stolen from students this year, CCSD reports; Tuesday, May 14, 2013; Thieves are targeting schoolchildren carrying CCSD-issued iPads to and from school, according to Metro Police. Although educators praise iPads for raising student engagement, local authorities are concerned they could pose a new safety hazard for students.
UNLV engineering seniors roll out inventions: Saturday, May 11, 2013; An iPhone application that recites cooking recipes, a mechanical sheet-music page-turner and a self-folding stroller with automatic safety features were some of the inventions showcased at UNLV's engineering design competition this week.
Six new CCSD teachers recognized for stellar rookie years: Thursday, May 9, 2013; The Clark County School Board honored six New Teachers of the Year on Thursday. The six were chosen among a list of teachers nominated by their respective schools for commendable work during their first year of employment with the School District.
Sandoval to settle on next state schools superintendent in August: Thursday, May 9, 2013; Gov. Brian Sandoval is expected to announce a new state superintendent by the end of the summer, according to a search timeline released Thursday.
Elaine Wynn bemoans state of education in Nevada, lobbies for national search for new superintendent: Thursday, May 9, 2013; Elaine Wynn called upon the Clark County School Board to conduct a national search for its next superintendent during her keynote address Wednesday at a Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Fourth-grade teacher honored for being among 'teaching elite': Thursday, May 9, 2013; The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce honored Rogers Elementary School teacher Maggie Reardon at its luncheon Wednesday as part of Clark County's Teacher Appreciation Week.
District, partners show their appreciation for teachers: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Teachers at one local elementary school were surprised Tuesday with free lunch, entertainment and gift cards for school supplies in celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Day.
Timeline of UNLV-Majestic breakup: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Here's a look at events in UNLV's partnership and breakup with Majestic Realty on the UNLV Now stadium proposal:
Anatomy of a breakup: Emails offer glimpse into why UNLV dumped Majestic on stadium project: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; UNLV mulled the idea of dropping Majestic Realty nearly a month before making its decision public, according to emails between the two former UNLV stadium partners. More than 1,000 pages of emails between UNLV Now project leader Don Snyder and Majestic point man Craig Cavileer, sent from January to March, offer a look at reasons why UNLV ended its 2 1/2-year partnership with Majestic.
8 CCSD campuses make America's Best High Schools list: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Thirteen Nevada high schools — including eight in Clark County — were named among the best high schools in the nation, according to Newsweek and the Daily Beast.
Cost to ease crowded Clark County classrooms put at $1.2 billion: Monday, May 6, 2013; Reducing class sizes in Southern Nevada to the national average would take $1.2 billion over four years, according to figures recently released by the Clark County School District. But it will take more than the will of the School District or its teachers union to bring class sizes down. The Nevada Legislature also will have to agree — and find a way to fund the effort.
Proposal for 'master teachers' with $200K annual salary has its skeptics — among teachers: Friday, May 3, 2013; Jim Guthrie's idea to pay a group of top-performing teachers an annual salary of $200,000 received mixed reactions from Clark County schoolteachers this week.
Consultant finds wide community support for UNLV president: Thursday, May 2, 2013; UNLV faculty, students and community leaders overwhelmingly support the leadership of President Neal Smatresk, according to the results of an independent evaluation announced Thursday.
Suicide in school: District's prevention effort leads to student hospitalizations: Four identified through program of being at risk as CCSD strives to combat a rising statistic; Thursday, May 2, 2013; Four Clark County School District students were placed on suicide watch at area hospitals last weekend after the students took part in a suicide prevention program and were deemed a high risk, according to district officials.
Guest-teacher experience brings together Las Vegas students, community leaders: Teach for America Week helps familiarize political, industry leaders with education organization; Wednesday, May 1, 2013; More than a dozen local politicians, business and community leaders are participating in the annual Teach for America Week, which is taking place in 46 Teach for America regions across the nation.