Stimulus package might be boon for Clark County School District

A national economic stimulus package could provide up to $179 million for the Clark County School District over two years, providing hope to a system facing a funding shortfall for next year that's increased from $120 million to $150 million.

Congress began debate on the bill Tuesday. Because federal funds typically come with conditions, educators are not sure how much flexibility they would have in spending the money.

If the stimulus package is approved, the district could get $29 million for low-income or Title I students, $64 million for school construction and $25 million for special education this year. In 2010, the district could receive $29 million for Title I and $31 million for special education.

Joyce Haldeman, the district's assistant superintendent for community and government relations, said the construction funding would be timely because the district is ending a 10-year bond program that funded new school construction.

While there's not much demand for new construction because enrollment has tapered off, the new federal funds could be used for other capital expenses such as renovations and improvements, Haldeman said.

West Preparatory Institute Principal Mike Barton said he would use funding at his Title I school, near Lake Mead and Martin Luther King boulevards, to start a pre-kindergarten program to boost student achievement.

The state could receive up to $239 million in stimulus funding, said Nevada Superintendent of Schools Keith Rheault at a legislative hearing Tuesday on the state budget.

Because of declining state revenues and the governor's budget recommendations, educators anticipate about $251 million less next year for public schools, or $2.39 billion for 2010 compared with the $2.64 billion that was approved for the current year.

Much of the proposed reductions would affect educators' salaries and benefits. That would include 6 percent salary cuts, the suspension of 2 percent step or merit-based salary increases and reductions in health benefits. Rheault said the proposed cuts would add up to $500 million if they were not offset by funding for growth. The state anticipates enrollment to grow by 4,000 students next year.

Under the scenario of proposed cuts, the average starting salary for a teacher in Nevada is expected to decline by $3,000 to $36,210 in 2010.

Other recommended cuts include the elimination of regional professional development programs and a 14 percent reduction for adult education.

State Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, predicted Nevada would drop to 50th in the nation for per-pupil funding if the state adopted the governor's budget. Per-pupil funding was projected to decline by $300 to $4,945 in 2010.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-799-2922.