FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clark County School District Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky
Named Magnet Schools of America Superintendent of the Year
Los Angeles, CA April 29, 2017 – As a result of his leadership at the national, state and local levels in advocating, developing, and supporting magnet schools, Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is pleased to name Pat Skorkowsky from the Clark County School District in Nevada the 2017 Magnet Schools of America Superintendent of the Year. This annual award recognizes the important work of leadership within our school districts to keep magnet schools a priority in the portfolio of school choice options.
Superintendent Skorkowsky has led his school district since 2013 and has been an educator and leader in the district for 28 years. During his tenure as superintendent, he has supported the expansion of magnet schools in the district by 44%, which now educate 30,000 students across 36 schools offering 114 unique programs of study. Impressively under his leadership, the district has increased its high school graduation rate by 25%, and over the last two years, his school district has received 49 Magnet Schools of America national merit awards.
“We are proud to recognize Superintendent Skorkowsky for his efforts to expand theme-based magnet programs in his school district. The Clark County School District magnet programs offer exciting and applicable learning experiences that engage students and provide them with the necessary skills to succeed in life,” said Magnet Schools of America, Executive Director, Todd Mann.
Accepting the award at the Magnet Schools of America’s 35th National Conference in Los Angeles, CA Superintendent Skorkowsky stated, “Our school district is fortunate to be able to offer the original form of school choice. Our magnet schools allow students to experience the loves of their lives and launch them on pathways that they never imagined.” He added, “What happens daily in our classrooms is what makes the difference in the lives of students. My motto is every student, in every classroom, without exceptions, without excuses. That is what drives the work of our school district. I am proud to accept this award and tout the successes of our amazing school leaders, educators and district employees. They are the reason why we are magnet school leaders in the nation.”
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Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is a nonprofit education association that represents more than 4,340 magnet schools serving nearly 3.5 million students. MSA was founded in 1986 and authorized as a 501(c)3 in 1994. It supports and serves the leaders and teachers of magnet and theme-based schools, while promoting the development of new magnet programs and public schools of choice.
Press Contact:
Magnet Schools of America
John Laughner, Legislative and Communications Manager
202-824-0672 or john.laughner@magnet.edu
Raise the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow.
