In a move that has sent ripples of concern through the Shadow Ridge High School community, beloved social worker Mr. Donald Perkins is departing the school due to significant budget reductions affecting the Clark County School District. For years, Mr. Perkins has served as a stabilizing force for the student body, providing a safe harbor for those navigating the complexities of adolescence, mental health challenges, and academic pressure. His exit is not merely a personnel change but a profound loss of institutional memory and emotional support that many fear will leave a permanent void in the school’s culture.
“It’s sad because he was one of the best social workers I’ve had to talk to,” says sophomore Mariah Scott
The departure of Mr. Perkins comes as the district faces a staggering financial reality. Recent reports indicate that the district is grappling with an anticipated fifty million dollar decrease in school-level funding for the upcoming school year. This deficit has forced principals and administrators across Southern Nevada to make heartbreaking decisions regarding which programs and people stay and which must go. At Shadow Ridge, these cuts have directly impacted the mental health infrastructure, leading to the surplusing of essential staff members who are often the first line of defense for students in crisis.
“I think we are going to all miss Mr. Perkins he was a great social worker,” says sophomore Jacob Albright
The process of surplusing means that while an employee might technically remain within the district, they are forced out of their current school to fill vacancies elsewhere, regardless of the bonds they have built with their local community. For a social worker like Mr. Perkins, whose effectiveness relies almost entirely on the trust and rapport established over years with students and families, this displacement is particularly devastating. Educators and parents at recent school board meetings have voiced their outrage, arguing that mental health professionals should be the last individuals targeted during financial downturns, especially as student needs continue to rise in the post-pandemic era.
Shadow Ridge is not alone in this struggle, as other local institutions are seeing similar eliminations of counselor and social worker positions. As schools across the valley face deficits reaching over one million dollars per campus, the prioritize-by-necessity approach is stripping schools of the very resources that keep them safe. Students who once sought out Mr. Perkins for guidance now face a future where those offices may sit empty or be staffed by revolving door personnel who lack the same deep-rooted connection to the Mustang community.
‘’It has been a great time at Shadow Ridge and I will miss you all’’ says Mr. Perkins
The community’s response has been one of both sadness and frustration. Many are calling for more transparency from the district regarding how these specific cuts were determined and why student well-being seems to be taking a backseat to administrative balance sheets. As the transition period begins, the focus remains on the students who rely on the stability Mr. Perkins provided. For many at Shadow Ridge, the legacy of his work will remain, but the immediate future looks significantly more uncertain without his presence in the hallways. The ongoing debate among parents and teachers highlights a growing concern that if the district does not find a way to protect its support staff, the true cost of these budget cuts will be measured in the health and success of its students for years to come.
