School funding rally gets support

Terry Webster

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001 | 10:29 a.m.

Waving signs and drawing honks and hollers of support from passing traffic, an estimated 1,000 Clark County School District employees Monday marched along Paradise Road and Sands Avenue in an effort to raise support for public education.

Teachers don't have enough supplies. Maintenance workers don't have the proper tools. Everyone needs a cost-of-living raise.

Those were just some of the sentiments expressed by the marchers. The crowd included teachers, support staff, students and other education supporters.

"Essentially we're trying to raise awareness," said John Jasonek, executive director of the Clark County Education Association. "There's a lot of frustration right now in the education community. In Nevada we're about $1,000 shorter than the national average in per-pupil funding. That affects everything: salaries, the ability to keep teachers and classroom supplies."

Marchers carried signs bearing messages such as "Support schools funding" and "Fund your kid's future."

A baby stroller had its own sign: "Why are you hurting my education?"

Bill Vick, a teacher at Advanced Technologies Academy, said teachers feel they are subsidizing public education by donating their time and not getting cost-of-living raises.

Vick added that teachers consistently buy their own supplies and other materials -- even costly resource books.

Mindy Walter, a teacher at Western High School, estimated that she spends about $1,000 a year out of her own pocket for supplies.

"One of the things the public needs to understand is that the school district here does not have the ability to raise taxes," said Sue Strand, president of the Clark County Education Association. "All of our funding is decided by the state Legislature."

Teachers' unions across the state expressed disappointment after Gov. Kenny Guinn unveiled a proposed budget with a one-time 5 percent bonus for teachers.

Teachers also are calling for the implementation of a business tax to help raise money to fund education. Some business leaders have opposed it.

Larry and Sally Mannlein, both teachers in the district, said they turned out to support public education, but in particular fine and performing arts education.

"Art and music are so important to elementary school children, especially in the at-risk schools," Larry Mannlein said. "If they take it away, some of these kids will feel they have no reason to come to school."

He was referring to recent comments on the budget by Superintendent Carlos Garcia, who has said arts programs could be cut back if the district's current financial status fails to improve.

But teachers aren't the only ones feeling the strain of a tight school district budget.

"There are support staff who need better tools," Bob Mancuso, president of the Education Support Employees Association, said. "There are mechanics working with substandard tools, and others are buying their own tools."