NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reginald Mayo, retired superintendent of New Haven Public Schools in New Haven, Conn. has been named the recipient of the ninth annual Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education. Mayo was chosen for his deep commitment to providing New Haven students with music education as part of the core curriculum.
The award is sponsored by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and was given at the awards ceremony at the National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. The award is presented each year at AASA's national conference to one superintendent or school CEO who has exhibited outstanding commitment to restoring music education in his or her school district.
Past recipients include: Rita Bishop, superintendent of Roanoke City (Va.) Public Schools; Kathy L. Kelly, superintendent of the Columbia Heights (Minn.) Public Schools; Duncan N. P. "Pat" Pritchett Jr., past superintendent of the Indianapolis (Ind.) Public Schools; John Lange, past superintendent of Adams County (Colo) School District 14; Carol Johnson, past superintendent of the Memphis City (Tenn.) Schools and current superintendent of the Boston (Mass.) Public Schools; Richard Kaplan, superintendent of New Brunswick (N.J.) Public Schools; Eugene White, superintendent of the Indianapolis (Ind.) Public Schools and James A. Williams, superintendent of the Buffalo (N.Y.) Public Schools.
“Dr. Mayo’s work in New Haven Public Schools has been a shining example of what public school music programs should strive for,” said Paul Cothran, vice president & executive director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “Through our partnership with him and New Haven Public Schools, fifteen schools have restored their instrumental music programs. Since 2005, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has donated $430,000 worth of new musical instruments to New Haven Public Schools. We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Mayo for his unparalleled support from the top throughout his tenure as superintendent. His commitment ensured equitable access to music and the arts for all students district-wide.”
“I am grateful and appreciative VH1 Save The Music Foundation is bestowing this national honor upon me and humbly accept it on behalf of the entire New Haven Community,” stated Reginald Mayo, retired superintendent of New Haven Public Schools. “Though many deserve accolades for this occasion, two individuals deserve special recognition, the late Dr. Regina Warner and Ellen Maust, music supervisors for the New Haven Public Schools. Both believe the arts provide students a needed venue for expression, motivation and ultimately accelerated learning. My sincere thanks to Jaclyn Rudderow and VH1 Save The Music for this honor and your generous contributions to New Haven students. This passionate advocacy for our children brings honor and distinction to our teaching profession.”
In 2005, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation began a partnership with the New Haven Public School District in New Haven, Conn. Each year, a firm commitment was made from Superintendent Mayo to budget for and hire certified music teachers. With his and the district’s commitment, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation provided grants of new musical instruments to each eligible school. Granting was completed in 2013 with two final grantee schools, Nathan Hale School and Fair Haven School. With 15 grants in place in New Haven, every student now has equity in access to music education.
About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
About VH1 Save The Music Foundation
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $51 million in new musical instruments to 1,900 public schools in more than 192 school districts around the country, impacting the lives of 2.3 million children. For more information please visit www.vh1savethemusic.org.