By Teri Carnicelli

Rolland Robert “Bob” Jones spent 34 of his 56 years of life dedicating his time and his energy to the education of children. So it’s a fitting tribute that a scholarship has been established in his memory for those students who are having the most difficult time continuing their education in Phoenix.

Jones, superintendent of Balsz Schools and former superintendent of the Madison School District, died on May 30, the very same day he was featured in a radio interview with PRI BBC’s “The World” regarding the impact of Arizona’s immigration legislation (Prop. 300) on students.

“It’s sad and ironic, especially because Bob was concerned about speaking out,” said Yvonne Watterson, principal of Gateway Early College High School, who also was interviewed for the program. Watterson, who lives in the North Central area, is the one who convinced Jones to do the interview with her. “He figured no one would hear it if it was on the BBC,” she recalled with a smile.

Watterson worked at Madison Meadows more than 10 years ago when Jones was superintendent, and about three years ago their paths crossed again when he came to the Balsz District, just across the street from GateWay Community College where the Early College High School is based. “Bob gladly served on my Advisory Council and worked hard to promote the early college initiative as one that was critical to the success of underserved, bright kids in his district,” Watterson said.

It was his passion for helping underserved students that eventually led Jones to agree to do the BBC interview.

“Following the broadcast, I was contacted by an attorney in Sacramento, who is the great-grandson of Hugh Hunter Creighton, an undocumented immigrant in the late 1870s who was instrumental in establishing free public education in the city of Phoenix,” Watterson said. “Creighton Schools were established as a result of a gift from him. My school is only a few blocks away.”

    Shortly thereafer, Watterson was contacted by an immigrant couple: Dr. Andrei and Carmen Vermont in Ohio. “They were so moved by the BBC broadcast that they wanted to help my students. They established a $10,000 endowment for my undocumented kids and decided it should be the Dr. Robert Jones Memorial Fund,” Waterrson explained. The fund is being administered by the Maricopa Foundation.

“I also received some donations from individuals in other parts of the country. I continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers,” Watterson said. Thus far, she has raised more than $100,000 in scholarship monies for her undocumented high school students to be able continue their education in Arizona.

The Dr. Robert Jones Memorial Fund is a fitting tribute to a man who believed in the power and importance of education, and who fought against barriers that prevented children from moving forward.

A resident of the valley for over 50 years, Jones’s love for education and his dedication to his family and Phoenix were deeply rooted. His career spanned all aspects of education, beginning as an elementary teacher at Indian Bend Elementary in 1974. Jones went on to hold positions as assistant principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent in Deer Valley. He was superintendent of the Madison Elementary School District 1993-2004.

Jones believed firmly in the importance of staying closely involved with the schools in his administrations and made it a practice to visit each campus each week in order to better understand the schools, the students and their needs. Even as superintendent, he could often be found eating lunch in the cafeteria with the kids.

As a parent of two sons himself, he was dedicated to encouraging parental involvement and collaborative leadership involving parents, community and staff. His vision and innovations in education practices have left a lasting legacy to the city and state.

For information about contributing to the Dr. Robert Jones Memorial Fund, contact Yvonne Watterson at 602-286-8754 or via e-mail at watterson@gatewaycc.edu.