CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) -Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo is determined to make changes to Nevada’s education system. Lombardo addressed the issue at Wednesday’s State of the State address.
“Are we satisfied with the status quo that results in our education system year after year, bouncing near the bottom of national metrics? I know I’m not.”
Lombardo vows improvement, accountability and responsibility for Nevada’s education system. It ranks near the bottom among U.S. states.
“Last session, we (state leaders) added $2 billion in new funding for Nevada students and schools. The largest education investment in our state’s history,” he added.
“I think everybody wants accountability in the schools,” said University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval. “They want to make sure that if we are increasing taxes or providing more funding for K-12 education, you want to see that students are at grade level when it comes to reading and that they have proficiency in math.”
Lombardo applauds the legislature for passing two major bills that revise provisions relating to education funding and changes to the composition of the board of trustees for school districts that enroll more than 75,000 students.
“We are raising the bar for our schools, school districts and school boards,” the governor said.
He also spoke about the School of Choice policy. “My view is that other states around the country are adopting similar views. No child should be trapped in a failing school or a zip code. Or held down by how much their parents or grandparents earn.”
“On the other hand, the other way is, when a student leaves a public school they take the funding with them,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval said progress is hard.
“Obviously, everyone has their priorities and different individuals want to spend money in different ways and fund different things. There’s a fundamental difference between some of the Republicans and some of the Democrats.”
Moving on to higher education, UNR will receive $11 million annually to support cost of living adjustments for staff and campus resources.
“That funding. That extra $11 million a year will allow us to hire more faculty. It will allow us to provide more resources for our students. Advising is going to help us regarding that. Healthcare, counseling. All that money will be available to us. This is assuming the Legislature approves it,” Sandoval said.
Lombardo is proud of the $12.7 billion executive budget that will give public and charter school teachers a permanent raise.
Link to speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sN2rLrp_Qs
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