Gov.-elect Aaron Ford campaigned on bringing Nevada's per-pupil education funding to at least the national average, a goal that would require billions of dollars over the next two-year budget cycle. The Nevada Commission on School Funding has suggested property or sales tax increases to cover the cost, though such measures would conflict with affordability promises.
In a Review-Journal column, Victor Joecks contends that additional funding will not produce better educational results. He writes that the Clark County School District cannot freely allocate new money because the vast majority of its budget covers employee salaries and benefits, with the district reporting an average total teacher compensation package of nearly $130,000, including an average salary just under $85,000.
Joecks notes that Superintendent Jhone Ebert must negotiate pay through collective bargaining, and disputes go to arbitration where the district's financial ability to pay is a primary factor. He adds that a 2023 law signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo legalized rolling sickouts by teachers during contract disputes, further strengthening labor's position.
The column points to the record education funding increase approved by Lombardo and the Legislature in 2023 as evidence. Joecks writes that the infusion led to higher teacher pay but not significant improvement in student achievement, concluding that "you can't fix a broken system by dumping money into it."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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