Namesake

Kathleen and Tim Harney

 

Kathleen Cope Harney was born in Toronto, Ohio, the daughter of Ada, a kindergarten teacher, and Reverend Ralph J. Cope, a pastor. Kathleen has four siblings: Marla, who resides in California; and Ruth, Gail and Jim who live in Toronto. The Harneys have four children; Kimberly, who lives in Las Vegas; Ann and Stefanie who live in California; and a son, Christopher, living in Reno. They have five grandchildren: Zachary, Brittany, Sydney, Jordan and James.

 

Mrs. Harney graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1964, and earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling in 1973 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kathleen began her career in education as an English teacher at Valley High School for ten years and continued as a secondary counselor at Western High School for eight years. She became a teacher consultant and later the Executive Director of School Planning in the Facilities and Transportation Services Division of the Clark County School District. She concluded her career as the Assistant Superintendent, Community Relations, a post she held from 1989 to 1993.

 

Mrs. Harney is known for a commitment to public education and programs that serve children as well as for her organizational and communication skills. She is noted for her professional manner in dealing with parents and community groups, especially concerning educational issues. During her tenure as an administrator in the Central Offices, Mrs. Harney played key roles in the district’s Five-Year Strategic Plan; the Pay-as-you-Go school building program; passage of the largest bond issue in its history; and the opening of a record number of 18 schools in one year. She received the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Woman of Achievement Award for Education in 1992.

 

Since her retirement in 1993, Kathleen has worked on special assignments in Clark County School District and the University and Community College System of Nevada, and served on several boards including the Henderson Senior Center and Kids for Homeless Kids. She currently serves as the Education Chairman on the board of Inner-City Games, a youth program aimed at prevention of violence and substance abuse and a pledge to stay in school.

 

Dr. Timothy David Harney was born in Duluth, Minnesota, where he attended both Catholic and public schools. Timothy is the son of Betty and John Harney who served as a firefighter in the Duluth Fire Department. Dr. Harney has five siblings, Jack and Kathy who reside in Phoenix Arizona; Sue and Lin who live in Duluth; and a brother, Mark, who lives in California. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1964 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. He continued his education in graduate school at the University of the Americas (Mexico City College) and then the University of Nevada where he earned a Master’s degree in English/Education. He attended the University of Southern California from 1972-1975 and was awarded his Doctorate degree in Educational Administration in 1976.

Dr. Harney’s professional career included teaching English at Rancho and Valley High Schools in the Clark County School District for 6 ½ years and filling a number of administrative assignments prior to his retirement in 1990. These assignments included directing the District’s testing program; serving as the assistant principal at Gibson Junior High and as the principal of K.O. Knudson Junior High. Timothy held a variety of central office administrative roles, concluding as Assistant Superintendent, Personnel Services. His professional career was marked by establishing major national teacher recruitment, a minority recruiting program, the Rookie of the Year Award, the District’s Hall of Fame, and community partnerships for supporting and mentoring of new teachers. He expanded the annual New Teachers’ Luncheon to become the major vehicle for new teacher recognition and orientation, and directed the hiring of record numbers of teachers each year during rapid community growth in the 1980’s.

Since his retirement from education, Dr. Harney has held the position of Executive Vice President for the health maintenance organization and served as a mediator in Clark County Justice Court. He has continued working on special projects for various CCSD departments and is presently serving a second term on the Lake Las Vegas South Shore Board of Directors. Tim currently serves as the manager of Martin and Allison, a Las Vegas law firm. Dr. Harney is noted for his skill in negotiation, ability to develop innovative programs, organize complex projects and maintain group morale with a sense of humor and personal strength. His commitment to quality public education for children is unquestioned.