Memo: NSEA Supports Senate Bill 185

The Nevada State Education Association represents teachers and education support professionals across the state. We also represent future educators through our statewide Aspiring Educators organization which has members at the University of Nevada Reno, University of Nevada Las Vegas and Great Basin College in Elko. We believe every Nevada student deserves a high-quality public education.

Senate Bill 185 is a step in the right direction to ameliorate unintended consequences created by SB213 from the 2017 legislative session. This includes addressing concerns of University practicum students and also may reduce costs of fingerprinting for parent volunteers.

The main concerns of aspiring educators were mostly addressed in an emergency regulation from August 2018. This bill further clarifies those regulations by including Charter Schools. Meanwhile, the cost of the background checks for volunteers may be eased by the expansion in entities to submit the necessary background checks. Additionally, allowing the School Districts to exempt a volunteer from the background check with sufficient paperwork is a positive beginning to increase volunteer opportunity for our parents, retired educators and other community partners. It is our hope that the legislature will continue to work to remove financial barriers to volunteering and working in the classroom.