Author: Illiana Banuelos

Mrs. Helen Aileen Anderson-Toland was the first African-American female principal hired in the Clark County School District, and assigned in 1965 to lead the Kit Carson Elementary School, in an area commonly known as the Westside. Mrs. Toland had the vision as principal at Kit Carson to instill the love of literacy through the creative strengths of first-hand, real-life situations. After leaving Kit Carson, she accepted a leadership position at the Robert E. Lake Elementary School, when schools began busing the 6th grade centers during the transition of student integration. She’s famously known for her community yard sales to send…

Dr. Claude G. Perkins was the first African-American to serve as Superintendent of the Clark County School District (CCSD) from 1978 to 1981. He has a long and distinguished career in teaching, program development, and educational leadership. Dr. Perkins was with the District for 12 years and served closely with previous CCSD Superintendents and Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn. During his time as superintendent, Dr. Perkins worked to improve the teacher to pupil ratio, school library access, and restructuring graduation requirements. For over 20 years, Dr. Perkins has served as a superintendent, a deputy superintendent, as well as an assistant superintendent…

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights. ​ King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, helped organize nonviolent protests, and also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history. On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating…

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is accepting enrollment requests for Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2025–2026 school year. The District offers more than 12,000 free Pre-K seats in over 600 Early Childhood programs. CCSD families need to complete the Pre-K Interest Form to have their student placed on the interest and/or waitlist.  All students must meet the following requirements to be considered for Pre-K programs: Student must be three years old before August 1, 2025. Student cannot be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment. Parent/guardian must transport student to and from school. Most CCSD Pre-K programs are half-day, with a limited…

Dr. Charles I. West came to Southern Nevada in 1954 and is well-known as the first African-American physician and surgeon licensed to practice in Nevada. He also served as Rancho High School’s team physician for ten years. Dr. West’s contributions to Las Vegas go beyond the medical field as he was a prominent civil rights activist working alongside other notable activists in the city including Dr. James McMillan and William H. “Bob” Bailey. Dr. West founded and published the Las Vegas Voice, the only black newspaper in the state. It served the valley’s African-American community. The paper was later known…

Shirley A. Barber was a pioneer in education and an educator at the Clark County School District (CCSD). She dedicated much of her life advocating for academic excellence and finding positive, long-term solutions. Her motto was, “Educate the Whole Child.” She invested her time in early literacy programs such as Reading Round-up and providing free Book Fairs for underserved students. She successfully lobbied for full-day Kindergarten in CCSD and played a pivotal role in the development of CCSD’s Academic Support and Community Service Center, which supported STEM learning. Mrs. Barber was one of the few African-American women to serve as…

Claude H. Parson Jr. and Stella M. Parson were both educators in Las Vegas and taught within the Clark County School District (CCSD). Mr. Parson earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees outside of Las Vegas, joined the Air Force and was eventually stationed at Nellis Air Force base. His first teaching job in Las Vegas was at Madison Elementary School, currently Wendell Williams Elementary School, teaching seventh grade and industrial arts. He was appointed coordinator of the school system’s desegregation program in 1969. He also served as the District’s federal programs coordinator a few years later. Mrs. Parson received her…

Eva G. Simmons has served as an educator in the Clark County School District (CCSD) since 1964 when the District only had 54,000 students. She has taken on several roles including teacher, principal, assistant personnel manager, and area superintendent. She has been recognized for her work in education as the CCSD International Year of the Child Honoree, Excellence in Education Hall of Fame inductee, and a Participatory Leadership Award. Her work in public service has also been recognized by the State of Nevada, Clark County, Nevada, and several other organizations. Mrs. Simmons retired from the District after 37 years of service.…

Clyde Carson Cox moved to Las Vegas with his wife and daughter in 1941. He was a leading figure in Las Vegas’ African-American community for 28 years. At an early age, he became interested in the ministry and devoted his life to that work, receiving a Bachelor of Theology degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Trinity Hall College and Seminary in Illinois. In Las Vegas, he was named pastor of the local church, which he first built on F Street. The first service consisted of six members and grew to a congregation of…

There will be no school for students and Clark County School District (CCSD) offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Classes will resume and CCSD offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.