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Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 | 2:09 a.m.
Educators are responding appropriately to Gov. Jim Gibbons’ demand that they make even deeper cuts in their schools’ budgets. They are standing up for their students, and by extension, they are standing up for the future of Nevada.
If the educators, including Chancellor Jim Rogers, the Board of Regents and the superintendents of the Clark County and Washoe County school districts, do not succeed in salvaging their budgets, the consequences will be dire.
Rogers, who heads the university system, predicts that if additional budget cuts go through, Nevada will surely be the worst state in the nation in terms of financial support for education. That would spell real trouble in the near future for Nevada’s businesses and governments, which need an educated workforce, and for the social fabric of Nevada’s communities.
The Board of Regents last week refused to comply with Gibbons’ directive to cut the university system’s budget by 14 percent. Instead, the regents decided to seek a 10 percent increase, saying they must act in the best interests of the state.
Gibbons responded by saying the regents are “asking for the moon,” given the current economy.
That view is not shared by Clark County Superintendent Walt Rulffes and his counterpart in Washoe, Paul Dugan. They have separately written to Rogers, outlining their reasons for supporting his fight for proper educational budgets.
Kindergarten, empowerment schools, career and technical education, general instruction, gifted and talented programs, aid for deaf students, performance pay for teachers, textbooks and transportation are among many areas Rulffes said have already been cut. He said there is “no way that we can endure (more) cuts of the magnitude projected and still do a decent job for students.”
Even in this distressed economy, schools should be a priority for the state, instead of fodder for the budget ax. The nightmare facing our schools is reason enough for the Legislature to balance out Nevada’s tax policy, so that when gaming and sales taxes take a nose dive, essential state services don’t have to crash with them.
So, Sun, why don't you start a recall of this guy and move us forward? Or would that be too socially responsible of you? Or would you lose your fodder for juicy editorials? You appear to be all talk.
The Unions and the Democrats chose to give out a 4% COLA over the rest of the budget.
Most of the state workers would have gotten raises anyway.
Now, most will get raises between 6% to over 10%.
It's time to dismantle the current education structure and oust Jim Rogers who demands we give more of our hard earned dollars to support his pet projects.
Vouchers, charter school, and home schooling should be supported. It is working in other states. Time to get rid of the teachers union!
NV would have more then enough funding if it cut out all the illegals from the school system.
When will the people of Nevada realize this is just the beginning. With energy costs high and former visitors broke from paying them and losing jobs, the fallout in Nevada is growing worse by the day. Mass layoffs in contruction on the strip alone are drying up the revenue and their will be none for any public needs. We need American resources for American jobs now. Dear Sen. Harry Reid stands in the way daily and is preparing a tax scheme with tiny drilling as a slight of hand. Call or Write harry and tell him to open all resources to America NOW.
email link
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm...
Las Vegas
Lloyd D. George Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030
Neiman1 is right.
If the next couple of years during the summer we have high gas prices then the state budget problems will only get worse.
I am sure that jobs creation will be low and job lost will continue if high gas prices continue.
The number of new students should remain flat and even might see a decrease eventually.
Gibbons did not object to stopping the 4% COLA. Please respond to that as well.
Ignore Reid. There must be additional ways to increase industry and job opportunities in this state. Isn't that also why we elect a governor and other representatives? Where is THAT leadership?
The Democrats in the Legisature told him over their dead bodies.
So it was dead before arrival.
Plus, Clark County rushed the contract so it would be a legal problem too.
I have two comments: First, it is not the job of the Las Vegas Sun to start a recall. The Sun's job is to keep us informed and offer its opinions. From there it is our job as readers to respond in the way we believe appropriate, including starting a recall movement if we wish. Second, why do Nevadans believe it is the responsibility of tourists, via the gaming tax, to fund our schools? We should be funding our own needs, including education. The Legislature should require that banks, Big Box stores and the mining industry step up and pay their fair share. Also, a slight increase in our property taxes would not kill us. If we could come to the realization that gaming taxes should simply augment our state treasury, and that we as residents and businesses have the civic obligation to fund services for our children, senior citizens, needy families and, yes, our jail and prison inmates, we would be a much better state.
It always amazes me when a parent complains about the 'cost' of sending their kid to school, ie, new latest/greatest clothing styles (ever hear of Goodwill) paper, pens, crayons, lunchboxes, backpacks etc. especially when they're sipping on their 5.00 Starbucks Latte and singing the 'poor me' song all at the same time. Priorites people, priorities!
flash1967, nice post. I agree wholeheartedly.
Unfortunately, it will be met with scorn & derision here. No common sense allowed, and even the mere MENTION of having to pay for something for heaven's sake will make them absolutely apoplectic. Education, people! It is the road to success, and it is not free.