Public Comment: Senate and Assembly Committee On Education

With bipartisan support, the Legislature created the Commission on School Funding and asked the Commission to present a plan to reach optimal education funding in 10 years. Since that time, NSEA has closely monitored and actively engaged in the work of the Commission. We can report that the Commission is a serious body and has taken a professional and methodical approach to their mission. Per your instruction, the Commission has presented their plan to reach optimal funding, and NSEA calls on you to Pass The Plan.

In his State of the State address, Governor Lombardo said Nevada can no longer blame a lack of funding for underperformance in schools. At the same time, his budget fails to follow the recommendations of the Funding Commission and instead proposes to cut per-pupil funding. Yet, even after record increases in education funding last session, Nevada trails the national average by more than $4000 per student. If per-pupil funding is reduced, Nevada’s students will fall further and further behind.

That is why we are asking the Legislature to reject the Governor’s recommended cuts and continue the work to address Nevada’s chronic underfunding of education. The Commission’s plan proposes raising revenue with an expanded sales tax base and the closure of property tax loopholes. The plan calls for $700 increases to per-pupil funding in each of the next two years, costing just over $600M over the biennium. The plan calls for similar increases over the next 4 biennia. Nevada educators, students, and communities are counting on you to Pass the Plan. 

Two years ago, NSEA came to this table saying it was Time For 20. While we had issues with the mechanics of SB231, progress was made, and we were able to negotiate 20% raises in many Nevada districts. However, to continue the progress on educator retention, these funds should be made permanent, and frankly, new funds are needed. Continued progress will require significant political will and discipline to remain focused on the task. Proposals to divert public funds away from public schools, whether that be through a new mechanism to expand private school vouchers or a giveaway to Hollywood studios should be rejected. 

Every student in Nevada deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that starts with a fully funded education system. This is the moment to break the cycle of chronic underfunding and invest in the future of our public schools. The Commission has done its job. Now, it’s time for you to do yours. Pass the Plan.  

Letter Submitted by Nevada Rural Educators President Malinda Riemersma

Dear Senators, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing for public comment to urge you to support and pass the funding plan recommended by the Commission on School Funding. As an educator, parent, AND community member, I deeply understand the critical need for an equitable and sustainable education system. The recommendations provided by the Commission reflect careful thought, research, and a collective understanding of the challenges we face within our schools. It is imperative that we honor their work by turning their plan into actionable policy. 

The funding plan is vital for addressing the severe teacher shortages and improving compensation. Teachers are the backbone of our education system, yet many are leaving the profession due to inadequate pay and insufficient resources. The proposed funding model will help attract and retain quality educators by ensuring salaries reflect the importance of their work and that they are equipped with the resources necessary to succeed in the classroom. 

This plan has the potential to close achievement gaps and provide all students—regardless of their background—with an equal opportunity to succeed. With adequate funding, schools can provide more personalized learning experiences, offer enrichment programs, and enhance the social and emotional support necessary for students to thrive. The focus on equitable distribution will ensure that students in underfunded districts receive the resources they deserve. 

The proposed funding will enable schools to maintain high standards and foster environments where both educators and students can thrive. This includes improving infrastructure, providing up-to-date learning materials, supporting special education services, and addressing the growing mental health needs of our students. With a more equitable funding formula, schools will be able to more effectively serve their communities and adapt to the unique needs of their student populations. 

The Commission on School Funding has done its part by laying out a clear and thoughtful plan. Now, it is up to you as legislators to take action. By passing this plan, you demonstrate your commitment to ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education and that our teachers are supported in doing their essential work. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I urge you to act in support of our educators, students, and schools by passing this plan as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Malinda Riemersma, Nevada Rural Educators President and 3rd Grade Teacher

Letter Submitted by Humboldt County Support Staff Organization President Andrea Kelly

Good afternoon Chair Taylor and Committee Members.

My name is Andrea Kelly, and I serve as the President of the Humboldt County Support Staff Organization. I stand before you today not just as a union leader but as a voice for the educators, support staff, parents, and—most importantly—the students who will bear the burden of these proposed funding cuts.

Education is not just another line item in a budget. It is an investment in our future, in our workforce, in our communities. Yet, with the proposed reductions to per-pupil funding, we risk jeopardizing the very foundation of that investment. These cuts will not just be numbers on a spreadsheet, they will be larger class sizes, fewer resources, reduced staff, and lost opportunities for students who deserve better.

Our schools are already struggling to do more with less. Teachers are using their own money to buy classroom supplies. Support staff are stretched thin, covering multiple roles just to keep schools running smoothly. Support staff, some of whom just recently, with the help of SB 231, were finally able to make a decent living, are now facing uncertainty again. Many had to work two jobs just to survive. One ESP in particular, who works for our district, was finally able to move out of an RV with her three children and into an apartment. These funding cuts threaten to undo that progress, forcing many back into financial instability.

If we truly believe that education is the great equalizer, then we must prioritize it accordingly. We cannot expect our children to thrive in an underfunded system. We cannot expect our educators to succeed without the tools and support they need. And we cannot expect our communities to grow and flourish if we fail to invest in our schools.

I urge you to reconsider these cuts and to recognize that every dollar taken from education is a dollar taken from our future. Let’s find solutions that strengthen our schools, not weaken them. Let’s work together to ensure that every child in our state has access to a quality education—because they deserve nothing less.