ABC PAC | A Better Choice for Our Students

To turn caring into action, we need to see a problem, see a solution and see the impact.

- Bill Gates

Our Purpose

Mission Statement and Goals of "A Better Choice" PAC

Our children hold the key to Nevada’s future. At every step, we try to give them the best possible chance to succeed. The School Board, the group designated to create policies that affect every step of the educational journey, is essential to student success. Just as we would for any important position, we need to elect and appoint the best, brightest, most diverse, most talented Board we can find.

History

A Better Choice PAC, ABC PAC, was organized in March 2020 when our world was facing the beginning of the pandemic. ABC PAC was organized by a group of concerned community leaders which included former School Board Trustees and business representatives.

The original board consisted of: Susan Brager, Hannah Brown, Miles Dixon, Terri Janison, Patsi Johnson, Larry Mason, Sheila Moulton, and Mary Beth Scow, with Kami Dempsey-Goudie and her staff assisting with organizational support. The current board consists of: Susan Brager, Mo Denis, Carolyn Edwards, Becky Harris, Patsi Johnson, Ruth Johnson, Larry Mason, Sheila Moulton, and Mary Beth Scow, with ongoing organizational support from Kami Dempsey-Goudie and her staff. Emeritus Board members are: Hannah Brown, Miles Dickson, Terri Janison, and George Ann Rice. Advisory Board members are: Stavan Corbett and Warren B Hardy II.

Mission

Help elect and support Clark County School Board Trustees who are professional,
principled and student-focused.

Goals

Identify and inspire qualified, diverse leaders to seek the position of School Board Trustee
Support promising Trustee candidates in their elections through messaging support, voter activation, and network building.
Engage and educate the community about the impact the School Board has on children’s education and increase the community’s active participation in supporting, electing, and holding accountable its Trustee.
Serve as a trusted, experienced voice and advocate for eƯective School Board governance and leadership.

Accomplishments

Vetted all 25 Trustee candidates for the 2024 Primary Election. Twelve candidates agreed to be interviewed. Re-evaluated candidate endorsements after the 2024 Primary Election and endorsed 4 candidates for the General Election. One originally endorsed candidate moved on to the General Election and was elected.

Ongoing Efforts

Engage with community leaders, Chambers of Commerce, and education support groups to identify opportunities for a common goal, legislatively or otherwise, for future educational enhancements in Southern Nevada.
Observe and analyze Board meetings conducted by Trustees to provide constructive feedback.
Actively solicit qualified, professional candidates for School Board Trustee.
Provide workshops, zoom meetings and other resources to educate the community about the importance of School Board policies.
Actively soliciting qualified, professional candidates for the 2022 election cycle.
Providing stakeholder outreach to educate the Community about the importance of School Board elections.

Purpose

Criteria

Our boad

Our Board
(Current Members)

Sheila Moulton - Chairwoman
Sheila served as a CCSD Trustee for 12 years and is committed to strengthening our educational system. She is a proud grandparent of 6 CCSD grandchildren, and a parent of 6 children all who are graduates of CCSD.

Carolyn Edwards - First Vice Chair

Carolyn was a member of the CCSD Board of Trustees for twelve years. Both her children graduated from the district. She also served on the Executive Board of the Nevada Association of School Boards and on the Board of Control for the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. Carolyn currently serves as the lay representative for Vegas PBS on the America's Public Television Stations board.

Larry Mason - Second Vice Chair
Larry made history as the first elected Hispanic CCSD Trustee. He was twice elected board president and served as the Chief Diversity Officer at College of Southern Nevada where he oversees programs for minority students.

Mary Beth Scow - Development Chair

Mary Beth served on the CCSD Board of Trustees for 12 years and was elected to two terms on the Clark County Commission. She has achieved the greatest happiness in her roles as wife & mother to nine children, and grandmother to 38.

Susan Brager - Operations Chair
Susan served as a CCSD Trustee as well as a Clark County Commissioner. Prior to elected office, she was an engaged parent who initiated academic reforms through engagement. She is a realtor in S. NV and remains on several community and education boards.

Moises "Mo" Denis

Mo has served as a Nevada State Senator for 11 years where he chairs the education committee and is the Senate President Pro Tempore. Previously he served 6 years in the Nevada State Assembly. Mo is a past president of the Nevada Parent Teacher Association and past Chair of the Las Vegas Clark County Library District. He is proud to be a husband and a father of 5 children and grandfather to 7 grandchildren.

Dr. Patrice Johnson
“Patsi” Johnson previously served as the Superintendent for the Utah Jordan School District for eight years with over 60 schools and 58,000 students. Before that she served as an Associate Superintendent for CCSD as well as a middle and high school principal.

Ruth Johnson

Ruth Johnson served on the CCSD Board of Trustees for 12 years, as an officer with the state Nevada Association of School Boards, at the regional level for the mountain west and as a representative at the national level. She has spent her entire adult life working and advocating for children and families. She and her husband raised four children (K-12) in CCSD schools.

Terri Janison
Terri currently serves as the Executive Director, Friends of Red Rock Canyon. She previously served in several leadership roles at the United Way of S. NV, as the Director of community relations for Gov. Brian Sandoval, and served as Trustee President.

Becky Harris

Becky Harris, an internationally recognized expert on gambling policy, regulation, and legislative affairs, works with regulators, operators, academics, and other stakeholders on a host of gambling, and leadership challenges and projects.

Harris served as the Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board from 2018-2019 and was the first woman to hold the position.

Harris represented Nevada’s 9th Senate District (Clark County) for two regular sessions and two special sessions. She served as Chair of the Education Committee, where she oversaw the passage of a series of some of the most significant reforms to the education system in the state, Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and a member of the Finance, Education, and Commerce, Labor & Energy Committees. Harris was selected to chair the Responsible Gambling Committee for the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States and served as its Treasurer. Harris also served as Nevada’s State Director for Women in Government and is a Henry Toll Fellow.

Stavan Corbett

Interim Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development at the College of Southern Nevada, brings extensive experience in education, workforce development, and public policy at all levels. A native of Las Vegas and former elected official, he has held leadership positions in various sectors, including education and social services. He has developed evidence-based programs in education, mentoring, workforce development, and juvenile justice. Stavan is a McCourt School of Public Policy graduate at Georgetown University, specializing in education management and leadership.

Emeritus

Hannah Brown
Hannah is a past president of the Urban Chamber and long-time community activist. She grew up in the segregated west side and has been the foundation of change in Las Vegas. She serves in many leadership roles with community organizations and on education boards.

George Ann Rice

Dr. George Ann Rice served as the CCSD Associate Superintendent of the Human Resources Division for 16 years, and served as a teacher and high school administrator before her appointment. For three years she was the Chief Negotiator for the District and she chaired the Nevada Governor’s Commission on Educational Excellence and served as a member of the Nevada Teacher Quality Task Force.

Miles Dickson

Miles is a 3rd generation Las Vegan and is a leader with several local causes. He is the Chief of Staff to the NV State Treasurer and previously served in consulting roles using providing expertise in public affairs, organizational management, & social responsibility.

Advisory Board
(Current Members)

Warren B Hardy II

Warren B Hardy II is president of his own consulting firm. He is a long-time resident of S. NV and a graduate of Rancho high school. He was elected to the Nevada Senate in 2002 and served two terms. While in office, he worked as President of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Las Vegas (ABC). Prior to that he has held various positions with consulting firms and started his career working in the family business.

Sandy Miller

As First Lady of Nevada, Sandy Miller, supported and developed numerous programs that improved health and education programs of children and families in our state. She is served on many local and national boards and commissions. She was also a speech therapist for CCSD.

Our Board (Current Members)

Sheila Moulton - Chairwoman Sheila served as a CCSD Trustee for 12 years and is committed to strengthening our educational system. She is a proud grandparent of 6 CCSD grandchildren, and a parent of 6 children all who are graduates of CCSD.