Editorial: State audits would aid schools funding

Friday, March 7, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

The Legislature has been talking for some time about auditing the Clark and Washoe County school districts, to ensure that state and county tax dollars that fund the districts are being spent efficiently. This session, Assembly Bill 162 is now under consideration by the Assembly Education Committee. Introduced by Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, the bill would require the legislative auditor to examine the overall financial management of the districts.

Perhaps the audits are necessary. Legislators have often balked at increases for the districts, citing skepticism toward the districts' own audits. We're confident that state audits will at last open the eyes of some doubters in the Legislature and remove a major obstacle to increased education funding. Additionally, Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins is proposing an audit of higher education. Bring that on too. Impartial, state-funded audits might be just what are needed for appropriate education dollars to start flowing.