Teacher training programs debated

Thursday, April 7, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In Clark County more than 6,000 teachers are trained each year to be more effective in the classroom, but the instruction is avoided by some of those who need it the most, the program chief said Wednesday.

Bill Hanlon, director of the Regional Professional Development Program, told a legislative budget committee that attendance is usually good, but he added "The people who really need it may not show up."

It is a voluntary program to boost the competency of teachers. Hanlon said he thought principals should "be more directive."

The program offers $30 an hour to attend after school and it provides university credits needed for advance pay, he said.

Hanlon said the program was changed last year to avoid scheduling the training during times when classes were in session because that kind of scheduling conflict meant that substitutes would have to take over classrooms during the training.

Joyce Haldeman, representing the Clark County School District, told the committee there was a severe shortage of substitute teachers particularly on Mondays and Friday. Sometimes principals and secretaries had to be dispatched to staff the classes while the regular teacher was receiving training.

She said training on Saturdays and after school has been successful for teachers.

Hanlon said there were about 17,000 teachers in Clark County. In addition to the training, Hanlon is distributing more publications on how to become better teachers.

Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, chairwoman of the committee, said one thing that continues to bother her is that students graduating from the University and Community College System of Nevada need this training. She said the university system is not providing the training needed for a teacher to enter the classroom and be effective.

"Until we make changes in the system, we're spending money after money," Cegavske said. "I'm concerned teachers are coming out of the university system and don't have the skills."

Hanlon said the Legislature is "adding more to my plate" by requesting training of teachers in such courses as suicide prevention. He said he preferred to stick to training teachers in the basics of classroom instruction.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, backed Hanlon, said the training program was to "train teachers to teach the the standard." He said it has "become a Christmas Tree -- hanging something else on it."

Raggio suggested the training program should stick to the basics.

The committee also heard testimony that more than $180 million is needed to fill the gap in funding the public schools. This money is not included in the budget.

The bill to cap the property tax bills will mean school districts will receive $44 million less than anticipated from its share of the property tax. The state must make that up.

School districts need an additional $55 million to pay the health insurance premiums for teachers. Another $10 million is needed to cover inflation in utility bills during the next two years.

State Budget Director Perry Comeaux said the school districts, in presenting their original budgets, underestimated what they spent in 2004 by $34.5 million. He said that should be replaced in the next two years.

Comeaux said Gov. Kenny Guinn believes that the Economic Forum, which predicts tax revenues, will make a projection on May 2 that will estimate higher tax collections in the next two years that will "cover most if not all of it."

Raggio said, "We need to look very carefully at the so-called $69 million adjustment" for the extra money the schools need. He said the Legislature has to make a decision very quickly whether the change is valid.

But Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said this is an obligation of the state to keep the school districts whole. "Funding K-12 has a state guarantee in the constitution."

"I do hear that the forum will project enough (state revenue) for us to do full-day kindergarten and begin class-size reduction," she said.

Full-day kindergarten is expected to cost about $70 million over the next two years.