Nevada school reform hinges on revenue projections

Monday, April 26, 1999 | 10:16 a.m.

The state Economic Forum will help end uncertainty over funding for the upcoming two-year state budget when it issues the updated revenue estimates Thursday. Legislators are required to base the budget on the figures.

Educators said the projections will determine the fate of funding for a variety of reform measures, including teacher training, student testing and remedial education.

"Funding those efforts is really critical to education reform in Nevada," said state schools Superintendent Mary Peterson.

Sparks High School teacher Jim Bryn agreed: "Certainly, education needs increased funds just to stay even (with enrollment increases)."

Reno High School student Gina Akao said money also is needed to help seniors who fail the state's tough new graduation exam.

"If they (legislators) want to up the standard, they have to put in the money to help the people pass," she said.

The Nevada State Education Association, which represents more than 20,000 teachers, has expressed concern over significant differences in early revenue projections made by three state agencies.

The Economic Forum bases its estimates on figures provided by the Budget Office, Taxation Department and Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Some officials are concerned that if local revenues fall short, the state will have to come up with the rest.

"That's a big gap," said NSEA spokeswoman Debbie Cahill.

Nevada's 10-year-old class-size reduction program is facing an assault on two fronts.

SB466 would allow schools to use class-size reduction money on other programs designed to improve student achievement.

Gov. Kenny Guinn also wants to roll class-size reduction money into the distributive school account.

"We're concerned rolling it in will hurt the focus of that money," said Debbie Smith, Nevada PTA president.

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