Federal funding cuts threaten Nevada Department of Education
CARSON CITY - The Nevada Department of Education faces a potential loss of $25 million to $27 million in federal funds if Congress this spring approves anticipated spending cuts.
Superintendent of Public Instruction James Guthrie told a legislative pre-session budget committee Wednesday that at least 90 of his 140 employees are partially funded by the federal government, and it is likely 10 to 12 would be laid off if the cuts are approved by Congress.
He added that his agency already is the smallest state education department in the country and that many of its programs are federally funded.
Senate Finance Committee Chairwoman Debbie Smith, D-North Las Vegas, requested Guthrie return to testify after the Legislature convenes Feb. 4 with a plan on how he would make up any funds lost from the federal government.
Throughout the meeting, Smith repeatedly complained that although Gov. Brian Sandoval's budget added $135 million in state spending for public schools, it does not come close to what schools have lost since the recession began five years ago.
The budget hearings resume at
8:30 a.m. today with discussions of health and human services, Medicaid and mental health spending.
The hearings can be viewed by teleconference at the Legislature's office on the fourth floor of the Sawyer Building in Las Vegas. Time is reserved at the beginning and end of the meeting for citizen comments.
The hearing also can be viewed over the internet at leg.state.nv.us.
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.
