State of the State 2022: It's Time For 20 To Address the Crisis In Nevada's Public Schools

"Elected officials must act now to retain educators. The situation is dire and we are losing the ability to properly serve our students,” said Brian Rippet, President of the Nevada State Education Association.

“In a recent survey conducted by the National Education Association, 90% of educators said they are experiencing burnout and a staggering 55% of educators are thinking about leaving the profession earlier than they had planned.”

While a national issue, the educator shortage is especially bad in Nevada. In Nevada’s largest district, there are nearly 1700 vacant positions, and in Nevada’s second-largest district, there are nearly 500 vacant positions. Nevada has fallen behind other Western states, including New Mexico where the starting teacher salary is about to be $50,000. Our Education Support Professionals across the state earn significantly below a living wage, with starting wages as low as $10 - $11 per hour.

That is why the Nevada State Education Association is saying it’s Time For 20. Time For 20 means a 20% increase in educator pay. Time For 20 means at least $20 per hour for the workers who make our schools run. Time For 20 means reaching an average class size of 20 students to address class size.

Educators are at a breaking point and we know how to fix it:

1) Pay educators more;

2) Improve working conditions;

3) Respect us and the work we do.

NSEA calls on every candidate, wherever they appear on the ballot, to take the Time For 20 pledge that hundreds of educators, parents, and community members have already signed. If we are serious about getting every child the support they need to thrive, our elected leaders across the state need to address this crisis now.