Nevada must find the strength to be brave and be bold. The proposed K-12 budget introduced last week outlining $156 Million in cuts to the Class Size Reduction program means at least a thousand fewer teaching positions will be funded in the next biennium. Additionally, the reduction in per pupil funding of $132 per year will force the elimination of an additional thousand jobs from our schools. This is no way to build a stronger Nevada or make progress on diversifying our economy.
As a teacher of 25 years, I worry how our next generation of Nevada students will be able to compete. As a father of 4 children who have spent their entire school lives in Nevada public schools, I am grateful that 3 of my kids will have graduated before these proposed cuts take effect. For my youngest child, what do you propose I tell her?
If nothing changes from this proposed budget, this is how the conversation will begin: “I know your high school does not currently offer any music programs,
“I know your high school does not have a counselor and currently no timely access to counseling services,
“I know your high school has long term substitutes in key teaching positions.
But the Governor proposes cutting thousands of education jobs so your high school will have even less for the next 2 years.”
“So what else do you think your school should get rid of, sports, advanced Math, Physics, Spanish?”
This is not an acceptable conversation for a parent to be forced to have. This is not an acceptable budget proposal for the current students in Nevada.
It is time to stand up for our students. NSEA is calling on this Board to please lead and fight to invest in our kids. It is time to be brave. It is time to be bold. Thank you.
Brian Rippet NSEA President
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