Editorial: Budget deal mustn’t obscure larger issue

Monday, July 28, 2003 | 8:44 a.m.

When the Legislature reached an agreement last week on a state budget, parents in particular were pleased because it provided funding for education, averting any delays in the opening of schools this year. But for Clark County School District officials, any relief over the budget deal was short-lived. School officials are going into overdrive as they seek to hire 600 new teachers with one month left before the new school year starts. School officials are hopeful that teachers still will say yes to coming here in spite of the budget impasse, which delayed hiring because it wasn't clear that the school district would have enough funding for teachers' salaries.

Even if the school district is able to fill all of its teacher vacancies, the damage from the budget impasse could be felt for years as other teachers may be apprehensive about coming to Nevada if education isn't given the priority it deserves. Gov. Kenny Guinn and state legislators, especially after such a bruising legislative session hung up on taxes, won't want to hear it, but the 2005 Legislature should tackle the issue of tax fairness and stability, creating a long-term funding solution that creates the kind of public schools that we all can be proud of.