About Us

History

Propelled by a belief that improving our public schools was too big a task for a school district to undertake alone, Ernest A. Becker, Jr., Ann Lynch, Karen S. Galatz, former Governor Grant Sawyer, Dr. Lois Tarkanian, and Judi Steele worked to create The Public Education Foundation. In 1991,The Public Education Foundation was established as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit Nevada corporation. Their first order of business was to define possibilities and offer solutions to the challenges of educating a growing and diverse Southern Nevada population.

Through collaboration with principals, teachers, administrators, businesses, community organizations and local citizens, the Board of Directors created an organization that works to develop and implement school improvement strategies, create model programs, leverage resources, award grants and scholarships, and improve the standing of public schools in our community, state and nation.

The Foundation continues to be guided by a spirit of innovation and a willingness to take risks in an unending pursuit of bold new thinking and innovative approaches to public education.