Carson's grants coordinator ready for the challenge

Ron Beck estimates that, in the last two years, he has been to at least 45 meetings to discuss the federal "No Child Left Behind" act.

"It's almost like trying to hit a moving target," he explained. "You never know exactly how they're going to be changing it."

If anyone can nail that target, however, school district officials are counting on Beck.

He started Monday as the grants coordinator for the Carson City School District. He will be in charge of securing funds for the schools and work with site administrators to decide how to distribute the money.

The bulk of his responsibility will lie in the low-income schools receiving federal Title I grant money. Those schools - Empire, Mark Twain and Empire - are the only ones subject to federal sanctions if they fail to make progress deemed "adequate" under the No Child Left Behind act.

"It's needed legislation, but it needs to be smoothed out in some ways to make it more user-friendly to the school districts," Beck said. "It has brought a lot of attention to addressing the needs of every student."

Beck, 52, became familiar with the act as the Title I coordinator for the Washoe County School District, where he worked for more than three years. His expertise increased when he became a Title I consultant for the Nevada Department of Education.

In that capacity, he worked with Carson City schools.

"I was very encouraged by the professionalism of the district staff and the personnel at all the schools," he said. "I looked long and hard before I accepted this position. If I didn't feel I could work well with this school district and the site administrators, I wouldn't have accepted the job. I wouldn't even have applied."

In addition to understanding the bureaucracy of running a school, Beck also understands the practical side.

He began his career as a social studies and physical education teacher in Idaho for seven years. He moved to Nevada in 1984 to teach social studies and coach football and baseball in Dayton for two years.

He then became principal of Pershing County High School in Lovelock for 10 years.

He's not planning on replacing the classroom with a desk job.

"I'm removed from the school site, but that shouldn't make any difference in being a part of process," he said. "I make myself be involved. I'll get out and talk to the principals. I like to talk to teachers, and I like to talk to the kids. I want to know what they think of education."

He moved to Minden about seven years ago with Susan Baldwin, assistant principal of Douglas High School. She has worked in the Douglas County School District for 28 years.

"We plan to retire here," he said "It's a beautiful valley, and we like the climate."

Contact Teri Vance at 881-1272 or tvance@nevadaappeal.com.