Clark County School District employees including Sharon Flick, third from the left, participate in a new program, Center for Teaching Excellence, at Del Sol High School on Wednesday. Some aspects of the program's operation have come into question. Photo by John Locher.

Sharon Flick is eyeing retirement in nine years in what would be her 30th year as a Clark County School District teacher.

But because she already has climbed to the top of the school system's salary scale, the 43-year-old instructor is working to obtain additional college credits to earn a $3,000 pay raise.

The raise would result in an extra $27,000 for the duration of her career, money she said is needed to build her nest egg.

"My daughter is going to be 13 when I retire," said the fifth-grade teacher at Cunningham Elementary School. "I'm going to have to put her through high school and college. ... I need that retirement pay."

Flick and other teachers throughout the district were at Del Sol High School on Wednesday, taking advantage of a new program that helps teachers with master's degrees plus 32 additional credits get a one-time $3,000 raise beginning in fall 2007.

The program, offered in cooperation with several universities, is administered by a foundation begun by the Clark County Education Association teachers union.

The program, Center for Teaching Excellence, or CTE, has come under fire from a small number of people who contend the teachers union is making a substantial profit from the program on the backs of teachers.

A main factor contributing to the controversy is that the school system also recognizes a state-run training program that enables teachers to earn the same $3,000 raise.

The state charges only $45 per credit for its program, while the foundation charges $200 per credit.

Officials with the two programs disagree over how long it takes to complete the state's program. The state says its program takes one year to finish, while union officials say the state program takes two years.

The union said the foundation's program takes only one year to complete.

The foundation takes in about $75 out of every $200 spent per credit by a teacher.

John Jasonek, executive director of the Clark County Education Association, said money the foundation collects is used to administer its program.

He said the reason the foundation's program costs more is because the state's program is subsidized with taxpayer dollars, although the official who runs the state program disputes that contention.

Union and some school district officials said the union is not unfairly profiting from teachers. Instead, they say the program is a legitimate way for teachers to boost their incomes throughout their careers.

The dispute has gained the attention of state Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, who said the Legislative Counsel Bureau is investigating the matter.

Beers and state Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, said the investigation revolves around determining why the union's program costs more than the state program and if the union is unfairly profiting from it.

Beers said two people have talked to him about possible mismanagement of funds in the program. He said the allegations warrant an investigation.

"At this point, the Legislative Counsel Bureau is interviewing people who have brought this concern to my attention in an attempt to document what's going on," Beers said. "Once they do that, we'll have a better handle on it."

A teacher who dropped out of the program also filed a complaint with the state attorney general's office.

The foundation run by the teachers union charges teachers $3,600 for one year's worth of courses. The courses are completed in six classes worth 18 credits.

According to the union's Web site, teachers with 15 years experience who successfully finish the program can make an additional $45,000 throughout their career.

The Web site also indicates that someone who lives 25 years after retirement and completes the program can earn an additional $56,250 in retirement pay. That figure is gathered by taking 75 percent of $3,000 and multiplying it by 25.

The union negotiated with four institutions -- the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Southern Utah University, Sierra Nevada College and Touro University-Nevada -- which agreed to approve the courses designed to meet the needs of the school district.

All four higher-level institutions are offering CTE classes at a rate lower than is normally charged for master's classes. The School Board voted to implement the program on Aug. 24.

Union and district officials said the program was approved because it helps teachers obtain a higher level of training and brush up on the latest teaching techniques, while offering them another opportunity to get a raise. The program offers courses in subjects such as leadership, literacy, math and technology.

Jasonek said one of the reasons the foundation was formed was to ensure no money would go directly to the union.

"The school district would have to start a new department to do what we're doing," Jasonek said. "This program is one of our greatest accomplishments. We're able to provide additional dollars for teachers. It's unfortunate that some people want to take issue with the program."

Teachers who are eligible for the program don't need to belong to the union to sign up. About 13,000 of the district's 17,500 teachers belong to the union. About 5,100 teachers districtwide are eligible for the program, Jasonek said.

Bill Hanlon, of the state-run Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program, said his department does get about $5.1 million per year from the state to train teachers in Clark, Nye, Esmeralda and Lincoln counties. About 11,000 teachers received training last year.

But Hanlon disputes Jasonek's claim that taxpayer money is used to run this specific program. Hanlon said the state program is self-sustained on the $45 per credit fee.

"The program pays for itself," Hanlon said.

About 390 teachers are enrolled in CTE, and about 400 are enrolled in the state-run program. About 60 people have dropped out of the CTE program.

Ron Taylor, a computer teacher at the High Desert State Prison Adult High School, said he dropped out of the program when he found out the teachers union was making a profit.

He sent a complaint to the attorney general's office on Nov. 21. Taylor said he believes the teachers union is pocketing about $450,000 this school year.

"Where is that money going?" Taylor asked.

Taylor, who has taught in the district since 1992, said he's being investigated by the district on allegations that he improperly used the district's Internet network. Taylor said he didn't do anything wrong.

He also said his allegation against the union is not sour grapes. He said the district's investigation stems from him wanting to form another teachers union.

"I don't like things that give the appearance they are crooked as hell," Taylor said.

Another source who did not want to be named said the union's profits eventually could be upward of $2 million. The source, who is knowledgeable about the program, said that figure was gathered by multiplying the union's $75 profit per credit, by 18 credits and then 1,500, which is the number of teachers who potentially could earn raises during the next two school years.

Superintendent Walt Rulffes said the district has allocated 1,500 slots for raises during that time, but he doesn't expect nearly that many people to complete the programs. He said offering more programs to teachers for additional training is a good thing, and those who think there is mismanagement going on in the CTE program probably don't understand all the details involved in running it.

Clark County Education Association President Mary Ella Holloway said several people are making unsubstantiated claims and trying to get the allegations to stick.

"I'm livid that people are making allegations and have absolutely no proof to back up their allegations," Holloway said.

Jasonek gave the Review-Journal access to accounting records regarding the CTE program.

According to union figures, the program revenue from the $200 collected per credit is $1,350,000. About $843,750 of that goes directly to the universities.

In addition, the program has several other expenses, including a Web site, pamphlets advertising the program, one full-time staff position and two part-time positions. Expenses to pay for a project manager, a Web master, an accountant and a few other consultants total $240,000.

Another major expense is renting classroom space, according to the union. Some of the courses are taught in district facilities. Total rent expenses are $40,800.

Jasonek said that after all expenses, the foundation allocated a 5 percent reserve fund that amounts to only $59,700. He said teachers in the program will receive a rebate come January of about $105 each. That rebate might be even higher if the reserve fund has more money than expected.

"All tuition dollars that aren't utilized to run the program go back into the teachers' pockets," Jasonek said.

Guadalupe Forner, a teacher of students whose primary language isn't English at Cashman Middle School, was taking CTE classes at Del Sol on Wednesday.

Forner said she would have preferred to know about the state-run course prior to enrolling in the more expensive CTE, but she's happy with her decision because she's receiving great training that will benefit her.

Forner, who is not a member of the teachers union, said she has heard the rumors about possible mismanagement of funds by the union but believes the union is offering a good service to assist teachers, not to harm them.

"Those are rumors," Forner said. "They're just lies."