By DR. LARRY MOSES
No one asked me but…The people of Moapa Valley supported the 1998 school bond with the understanding that the District would provide the school with a gym that could accommodate the many events that take place on the campus. But we didn’t get it.
Many home basketball games are crowded to the point of where fire codes are violated. The gym is not large enough to accommodate those who would attend graduation. With each graduate allowed only six tickets, many family members are denied the opportunity to see their relatives graduate. The district’s joint use agreement with the county parks and recreation department places an added burden on the facilities.
The Clark County School District often forgets Moapa Valley High School has the same number of athletes, cheerleaders, and band members as a school like Green Valley, and in many cases more.
When they built the football field, they put fewer lights on the field than on those in Las Vegas. When they built, the batting cages they built them forty feet long instead of full sized. Only one gym was built. The rationale for all of these undersized facilities was that MVHS was a small school.
No one in town seems to understand MVHS has a greater average attendance for activities than any urban school. No one seems to be aware of the fact that graduation is on site rather than in a rented stadium. They did not seem to understand that six basketball teams and a wrestling program have to share a single facility for practice and competition.
The demand on the gym is every bit and more than the demand on the gym facilities on Vegas schools. There are two gyms on those campuses.
The MVHS gym is also a community center, serving far more than just the high school. Moapa Valley High School brings in more gate receipts than any other school in the District. Maybe it is time to reward success.
For those who believe this is only an athletic issue fail to consider the fact that our youngsters practice well into the night cutting in to their study time. In spite of this, Moapa Valley is an academic lighthouse on the dark seas that is Clark County education.
A few years ago, Moapa Valley High School was selected by Red Book as one of best 102 high schools in the United States and one of the best two in the State of Nevada. MVHS test scores, that holy grail of education, are well above the state and national averages. The graduation rate of Moapa Valley, when counted correctly, is nearly 100 percent. Moapa Valley High School is the only school in the district to make Annual Yearly Progress for seven consecutive years.
This is a reflection of the dedication of staff, students, and parents. I understand the need for helping low performing schools but somewhere in the program, there should be a reward for success. The District has a school they can be proud of and can showcase if they wish. It is never good to neglect those who do things right.
In 2001, Dr. Patrick Herron, Assistant Superintendent Facilities Division, stated the process for the development of a 2800 seat gym to be built on the Moapa Valley High School Campus was in the mix. In 2002, Dr. Herron stated; “One thing I am committed to before I leave is to make sure your gym expansion is considered…and will do my best to make sure it is considered in the most favorable light.”
In 2003, Fred Smith, who had replaced Dr. Herron, stated; “The gym addition will go to the board as part of revision 8 to the 1998 Capital Improvement Program.”
In 2004, Paul Gerner, from facilities, reported; “The gym situation falls in the dark realm of the Master Plan…not…an easy or pleasant experience thus far but I think we are nearing completion on that task.”
Ruby Alston, facilities department said; “the need for auxiliary gyms at the outlying schools was added to the 98 Capital Improvement Program in the category – Continue Further Study …your school is on that list.”
In 2008, Ruth Johnson the Moapa Valley representative on the School Board, said at graduation, “Staff authorized the study and, if we can get the budget department to agree, the design for the new gym. I am so excited, and relieved, that this project is moving forward. Moving to this stage will guarantee that the new gym construction will be in the early part of the 2008 bond program. It was great to hear Paul Gerner talk about how important it was to treat rural school outside some of the in-town issues.”
However, we all know the 2008 bond issue never happened. This gym was not a 2008 promise; it was a 1998 promise that has never been kept.
Many of us remember the struggle to have the school built. When an earlier bond issue was passed, we were promised a new school. After the bond issue was passed, our school was dropped from the needs list.
The community, led by Grant Bowler, Dr. Gary Cameron, and Glenn Hardy had to remind the school board of their promise. Moapa Valley High School is the only school, to my knowledge, that was built by direct board action.
Apparently, we are in the same situation as before, and we can only hope the board will step up and remember that they not only are the board of the largest urban district in the State, but also the board of the largest rural district in the State.
One cannot minimize the daunting task the board faces with the problems of failing schools. However, maybe it is time the board begins to support and advertise their successes as well.
Many community members are planning to attend the School Board Meeting in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 4 pm. Those interested are invited to a short meeting to clarify and share ideas on Thursday, February 10, 2011, at 6 pm or Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 2 pm in the Library at Moapa Valley High School. More information can be acquired by calling Hal Mortensen at 397-2611 ex. 4200.
Thought of the week…Apply yourself. Get all the education you can, but then, do something. Don’t just stand there, make it happen.
– Lee Iacocca
