State grants $87 million to public schools

Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 | 7:36 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nearly $87 million will be distributed by the end of the month to more than 470 public schools to install innovative programs to boost lagging student achievement.

On Friday, the state Commission on Educational Excellence approved recommendations from nine review teams on sending the money that was allocated by the 2005 Legislature.

There were applications from 534 schools and the 17 school districts asking for $149.7 million. But there was only $91.9 million available.

George Ann Rice, chairwoman of the commission, said 60 of the schools did not receive funds because of problems with their applications. Others received less than they asked for.

There is $5 million remaining and the commission will make another allocation in April. Rice, of Las Vegas, said the priority for the remaining money will go to those schools that did not apply, the 60 that did not get funding and new schools.

The final list of the schools and the amount they will receive will not be ready until late next week.

Keith Rheault, state superintendent of public instruction, said those districts and schools that received less than requested would have to submit revised budgets. He expected those to be ready by Jan. 17.

The Clark County School District asked for $28 million, but Rheault said the request was shaved by about $8 million.

He said those schools that requested large allocations were also reduced.

Spring Valley High School's $2 million request was the largest in Clark County. Hewetson Elementary School applied for $1 million to upgrade the achievement of their students from kindergarten through the fifth grade.

Both schools failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2004-05.

Gov. Kenny Guinn greeted the review teams Tuesday and told them the money "is one of the most important things we have done for education." He urged the teams to "try to pick out the best programs" being suggested by schools and "hopefully they will be passed on as a model."

The Legislature appropriated the money to the newly created state educational excellence commission that was charged with deciding what programs should be funded for the next 18 months to shore up the school system.

An evaluation of whether the programs are working will be performed later.

The state Education Department reported in August that 56 percent of the 608 public schools and programs failed to make adequate annual progress. Statewide, 165 schools were included on the "watch list" for failing to show progress. And 174 schools were judged as "needs improvement" for at least the second consecutive year of low test scores.

The breakdown of the money available called for $78 million going to elementary schools and $13.9 million to secondary high schools. The commission approximated about $75 million was allocated to elementary schools and $11 million to high schools.

Nine review teams of three members each started work Tuesday and completed their evaluations by mid-noon Friday. The commission acted on those recommendations.

Cy Ryan can be reached at (775) 687 5032 or at cy@lasvegassun.com.