NSEA Legislative
Action Center
Governor Gibbons Attacks Education
Proposes catastrohpic changes
The announcement by Governor Gibbons on Jan. 6 was a direct attack on Nevada’s education system. He is playing politics with the future of our kids.
His recent proposal to drastically eradicate portions of the education budget shows how out-of-touch he is with needs of our students. It is very clear that the governor is a lone ranger on this issue as education supporters in the legislature understand the ramifications of implementing such cuts.
Full Article > >
Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaires
NSEA received three candidate questionnaires that were returned to the NSEA offices prior to the interviews of gubernatorial candidates on November 20, 2009.
As mandated in NSEA policies the interviews were open to every candidate who returned their candidate questionnaire. Governor Gibbons declined to be interviewed.
However, the NSEA Board of Directors interviewed Mike Montandon and Rory Reid. The NSEA Board reviewed the candidate questionnaires which are posted for your review and listened intently as each candidate was asked questions by NSEA President Lynn Warne. At the conclusion of the interviews, the NSEA Board met and decided unanimously to support the candidacy of Rory Reid for Governor.
Legislative Committee Makes Move to Amend Evaluation Language
The Legislative Committee on Education voted to recommend the legislature amend teacher evaluation language for eligibility to apply for “Race to the Top” funds. The committee unanimously voted to delete the prohibition in state law to tie teacher evaluation to test scores and added language that these test score cannot be used as the sole criteria for an evaluation nor can they be used for disciplinary purposes.
“We will continue to lobby legislators to ensure our members rights are protected through this entire process,” said NSEA President Lynn Warne. “Nothing is set in stone at this point and our work on this issue is far from over. Our schools are woefully underfunded and we believe Nevada should be eligible to apply for the funds.”
The committee agreed to continue to work on this issue to find a solution that is fair for Nevada’s educators. Stay connected to this site for developments in the weeks ahead.
NSEA Members Take Part in Tele-Town Hall
Sen. Reid follows up to address several important issues
In November, approximately 8,000 of Nevada’s teachers and support professionals—members of the Nevada State Education Association—took part in the tele-town hall with Nevada Senator Harry Reid. Wanting to communicate directly with NSEA members to take questions and address concerns, the nation’s Senior Senator spent one hour talking with members from all over Nevada.
Senator Reid was unable to answer all of the questions during the tele-townhall, here is a follow up to address several important issues.
NSEA Joins Law Suit to Protect Members’ Rights
The Nevada State Education Association is joining the Nevada State AFL-CIO and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada in filing a challenge against the “Save Our Secret Ballot” initiative.
Click here for more information on the “Save our Secret Ballot” initiative and why it will take power away from employees by making it the management’s choice on how to best come together to negotiate for improvised wages and benefits.
RPDPs and You
What is the Nevada Regional Professional Development Program (RPDP)?
The Nevada Regional Professional Development Program was established and funded by the Nevada State Legislature. Until this past year, there were four RPDPs located in specific regions throughout the state. During the 2009 legislative session, due to budget constraints, the four centers were reduced to three.
Full Article > >
Wrap Up of the 75th Regular Session of the Nevada Legislature
Nevada Public K-12 Education Budget Overview
Budget Item
|
Governor Recommended Cuts
|
Legislatively Approved
Cuts
|
Amount Preserved
|
Health Insurance |
$97,837,508 |
$ 0 |
$97,837,508 |
Salary Reductions |
$290,422,608 |
$193,615,072 |
$96,807,536 |
Step Increases |
$142,570,229 |
$112,570,229 |
$30,000,000 |
Incentives |
$50,468,323 |
$25,691,267 |
$24,777,056 |
RPDP |
$27,026,324 |
$11,226,324 |
$15,800,000 |
Adult Education |
$6,600,292 |
$600,292 |
$6,000,000 |
Remediation Fund |
$57,669,578 |
$57,669,578 |
$0 |
Signing Bonuses |
$13,994,000 |
$13,994,000 |
$0 |
Total
|
$686,588,862
|
$415,366,762
|
$271,222,100
|
Combined with the funds Nevada will receive from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we were able to preserve two-thirds of the governor’s recommended cuts to public education in Nevada.
Click here to view a few of the bills that NSEA followed closely:
To contact your U.S. Representatives/Senators use the following links:
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
GPO/WEP Talking Points
