Shortfall seen in school funding plan

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 | 10:48 a.m.

The total funding proposed by Miller to be spent on basic support for the 185,495 students expected next year in the Clark County School District is short about $45 per student, or $8.3 million, said Michael Alastuey, head of the district's finances.

An increase of $45 would make the state support per pupil climb to $3,725 next year. Miller recommended $3,680 per student in his budget.

Other school officials who testified Tuesday before a joint subcommittee of Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance said a shortfall exists in their budgets also.

The Legislature would have to come up with $11.9 million to increase student support by $45 statewide, said Doug Thunder, deputy superintendent, administrative and fiscal services, for the Department of Education.

Subcommittee Chairwoman Jan Evans, D-Sparks, said the question of whether lawmakers should increase public schools funding will be decided when the budgets are finished next week.

School district officials said much of the shortfall stems from the failure of the administration to allow for inflation and increased salary costs from the spending in the current school year.

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