[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 119 (Monday, July 27, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S5926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KATIE DECKER

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today, I wish to recognize 
Principal Katie Decker for her unwavering dedication to the Clark 
County School District and to the Las Vegas community. Her 
contributions to the local school district have had tremendous positive 
impacts, which will be felt by future generations of Clark County 
students for years to come.
  Throughout her 25 years in the district, Principal Decker has worked 
tirelessly to give students the best opportunity for success. She 
currently serves as principal of two different elementary schools, 
Walter Bracken STEAM Academy, Bracken, and Long Elementary School, 
splitting her days to spend time at each individual institution. Her 
work at Bracken has been recognized nationally, as Bracken has been 
named a 2015 Merit School of Excellence. Along with this outstanding 
achievement, Principal Decker was awarded the Magnet Schools of America 
Principal of the Year in 2013, the Terrel Bell Award for Outstanding 
Leadership, and locally by United Way Women's Leadership for commitment 
to financial stability in 2015. April 15 has also been named ``Katie 
Decker Day'' by the city of Las Vegas. No amount of recognition could 
adequately thank Principal Decker for all that she has done.
  When Principal Decker initially began at Bracken, the elementary 
school was one of the lowest performing schools in the district. She 
worked to improve the climate and academics of the school, spearheading 
the development of unique magnet programs. Bracken is now a five-star 
Blue Ribbon magnet school and is one of the top schools offered in the 
Nation. Recently, a local initiative began to incorporate techniques 
from highly performing schools, also referred to as franchise schools, 
into poorly performing schools. Principals from franchise schools were 
selected to lead poorly performing schools, ultimately introducing 
successful programs into the curriculum. Principal Decker was one of 
two principals chosen to participate in the initiative and has been 
assigned to Long Elementary School, where she is working to bring 
consistency to the schools she leads and greater opportunity to all of 
her students. It is because of her consistent academic success with her 
students that the franchise initiative began. Her Piggy Bank Program 
was utilized at Bracken and will be expanded to her Franchise School 
Walter Long STEAM Academy in the fall. Principal Decker has also worked 
to bring improvement to schools across the district by providing 
mentoring and administrative help. She teaches student climate classes 
to administrators, counselors, and teachers and has shared her 
leadership experience at the State of Nevada Mega Conference. She has 
also presented her ideas on innovative programs to schools across the 
country for over 10 years. Her great list of accomplishments is 
legendary in the Clark County community and remains invaluable to local 
students.
  As a father of four children who attended Nevada's public schools and 
as the husband of a life long teacher, I understand the important role 
that educational institutions play in enriching the lives of Nevada's 
students. Ensuring that America's youth are prepared to compete in the 
21st century is critical for the future of our country. The State of 
Nevada is fortunate to be home to an educator like Principal Decker, 
whose mission is to prepare our children for their futures.
  I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in thanking Principal 
Decker for her dedication to enriching the lives of Nevada's students 
and congratulating her on her many achievements.

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