CCSD trustees set priorities for upcoming legislative session
Changing the way Nevada funds its schools remains the top priority for the Clark County School District in the upcoming legislative session, part of a platform that trustees adopted Thursday.
The district, which hired Strategies 360 as its lobbyist, will petition the new Legislature to increase the base level of funding that all students receive. In Clark County, basic funding stands at $5,779 per student for this school year.
The district also seeks to modify the Distributive School Account, the state’s school funding account. Trustees expressed hope with a new Legislature and Gov.-elect Steve Sisolak, who has campaigned heavily on educational issues.
“I have hope with the governor right now because I think he knows how urgent this is,” Trustee Kevin Child said.
The district also will propose a bill to prevent up to 8.3 percent of the district’s ending fund balance from being used as funding for contract negotiations. Another bill draft request will propose a “Handle with Care” initiative to address student trauma.
Other priorities include ensuring that the School Board remains an elected body, supporting early childhood education without pulling from existing K-12 funding, and expanding career education programs.
Contact Amelia Pak-Harvey at apak-harvey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4630. Follow @AmeliaPakHarvey on Twitter.
Contracts approved
The School Board also approved contracts for the Police Officers Association and the Police Administrators Association.
The $446,795 officers agreement, which runs from 2017-2019, provides step increases and incentives for those who complete Peace Officer Standards and Training certifications.
Meanwhile, the police administrators scored their first contract that also provides retroactive pay raises and runs from 2015 to 2019. Its total cost is $376,984.
