Education
Nevada has a long way to go on education. As a teacher, I worked hard to give the kids in my class the best education available. As a legislator, I will work hard to keep as much funding as possible for the public school system. Low taxes are not the silver bullet that leads economic recovery. To promote growth and sustainable development that puts an end to the boom and bust cycle, Nevada needs to attract businesses with a dynamic and successful education system.
- Re-allocate funding. As it stands, 87% of the Clark County School District budget is absorbed in salary, benefits, and administration. Half of the District’s employees do not work in a classroom, leaving precious little for the teachers. Without touching funds, adjusting this imbalanced ratio will better equip the teachers to do their jobs.
- Refocus our priorities. The public school system exists to educate children, not to employ adults. Yet, the Nevada State Education Association states, “The primary mission of NSEA is to advocate the professional rights and economic security of its members.” (www.nsea-nv.org) We have to adjust the bargaining process for county government employees and facilitate a change in educational culture so that our children – and their education – comes first.
- Create Incentives to attract and keep good teachers: as it stands, Nevada’s teachers are the only government employees who make less than the national average. Nevada should blaze a path that gives teachers higher base pay with incentives for specific improvements in the quality of education students receive.
- Honestly consider Innovation. Each legislature only pays lip service to changes that would put more power in the parents’ and teachers’ hands: private school vouchers with a good selection of charter empowerment schools. These options are not just pipe dreams or theoretical ideals: they are real possibilities.