Panel to probe financing of Nevada public schools

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, June 16, 2011 | 10:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY – A legislative study committee will be appointed to find a new way of financing Nevada public schools under a bill signed today by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Senate Bill 11 says a “new method for funding public schools in this state is necessary to continue to improve and advance the purpose of the state’s public education system.”

The present formula was adopted in 1967. In the coming school year, the state has set an average of $5,265 per student, with $5,136 for Clark County students.

The Legislative Commission is directed in the bill to appoint a six-member committee to conduct the study and report back to the 2013 session. The Senate majority leader and the Assembly speaker each will select three members to serve.

The results of the study will also be presented to the 2013 Legislature.

The governor also approved Senate Bill 211, calling for a legislative study on how new “Common Core State Standards” will be put into effect in Nevada schools.

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers released a set of national standards for English and mathematics. The legislative committee will determine how this will change the classroom curriculum and if teachers will be given training and resources to put new standards into effect.