Cram slams Guinn budget for schools

Thursday, April 22, 1999 | 10:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Contrary to statements by Gov. Kenny Guinn, Clark County School Superintendent Brian Cram says school districts are losing money under Guinn's executive budget.

In Clark County alone this translates into a loss of $7 million next fiscal year, Cram told a legislative budget committee. "We have not been made whole."

But Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, defended the Guinn budget, saying total state support per pupil will rise from $4,807 this year to $5,480 next fiscal year and $5,504 in 2001.

"This is hardly a cut," Raggio told Cram. "Total funding goes up."

He asked Cram to supply the figures that show the support for public schools is declining.

Cram received support from Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, who said the actual state support drops from $3,804 per pupil this fiscal year to $3,798 next fiscal year.

Goldwater said Raggio isn't comparing apples to apples. Guinn's budget for the first time combines four other separate funds including such items as class-size reduction, handicapped education, school counselors and adult education into the state's distributive school account.

Stripping away those funds, which were not counted in the past, the Guinn budget shows a decline, Goldwater said.

"I've been saying all along there have been cuts in the (education) budget. I'm glad to hear somebody (Cram) agrees with me," Goldwater said.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, said the Legislature may have to allow counties to raise their property taxes. Property taxes are capped at $3.64 per $100 of assessed valuation.

"I don't know if we (the Legislature) have the stomach to raise the property tax," he said. Coffin said local governments should be permitted to exceed the present limit to gain more revenue.

Cram said the reduction in state support comes at a time when the districts are starting to make progress in school reform.