Governor Gibbons Simply Doesn't Get It

The announcement by Governor Gibbons on Jan. 6 was a direct attack on Nevada’s education system. Instead of finding ways to provide for more resources for the students across this state, the Governor has decided to continue his irresponsible addiction to cutting essential funding for education.

Governor Gibbons simply doesn’t get it. He refuses to do what is right and is instead, again, taking the lazy way out. Nevada needs bold leadership, one that will raise revenues to support a world class education system and one that properly addresses the critical needs of the state. Gibbons declares himself the “Education First” Governor but his actions prove otherwise.

Jim Gibbons feels there is no place in our schools for educator’s “special benefits” and, therefore, is seeking to eliminate all collective bargaining agreement laws. The fact is, Nevada’s Governor does not see the value in education personnel. Collective Bargaining is a shared expense. Employee groups share in the costs and the outcomes of this process, a process that has been in Nevada law for decades.

Governor Gibbons is using Nevada’s current economic troubles to further his own social agenda—an agenda that will cost taxpayers more money, cause layoffs of teachers and support professionals, and destroy Nevada’s education system. It is a travesty that in such serious times Gibbons has decided to put politics first over the needs of Nevada’s schools, local businesses, and its economy.

Nevada’s educators are already woefully underpaid and have been so for decades and yet Governor Gibbons is going to cut their pay even further. Governor Gibbons’ plan may result in more than 2,000 educators being laid off across the state of Nevada. Nevada’s school system cannot withstand such a cut, and it is Nevada’s school children who will suffer.

More than 100,000 students in grades K-3 will be impacted by being pushed into larger classes. Studies show that students perform better the smaller the class size, therefore it is quite obvious that Governor Gibbons’ plan will hurt kids.

By eliminating the Hold Harmless provisions, Governor Gibbons will cripple Nevada’s rural counties' ability to minimize the effects of budget cuts in their schools. Rural schools of Nevada depend on this fair provision so that they may provide a stable and equitable education to all of their students.

Currently the State Board of Education is held responsible by a vote of the people. Governor Gibbons' plan to replace this board with people appointed by his office will take away the voice of the people in determining the direction their school system should go.

While making these extreme cuts, the Governor is proposing to take away critical funds from our public schools and give it away in some sort of unconstitutional voucher program. Every dollar is critical to ensuring EVERY child receives a proper education. Diverting money away from public schools so that only a select few children can benefit is not proper governing.

Governor Gibbons' plan will make it much harder for Nevada to receive Race to the Top grant funding as there are specific regulations Nevada must follow in order to qualify. His continued cuts to education will make it difficult for the Legislature to increase funding in order to comply with the Federal Rules and Regulations of the grant.

The number one indicator of success for a student is the quality of the educator in the classroom. Cutting salaries and benefits will only hurt Nevada’s students and their ability to be successful beyond their K-12 years. This will have a severe impact on Nevada’s economy, crime rate, and social services. Governor Gibbons is costing Nevada more money in the long run with his irresponsible education plan.