2006 NQE Opposes TASC for Nevada
NQE joined the Nevada State Education Association, Nevada AFL-CIO and Nevada Alliance of Retired Americans in a lawsuit to stop the circulation of a Tax and Spending Control (TASC) petition promoted by gubernatorial candidate, Bob Beers, to be placed on the November ballot. Beers’ proposal locks severe limits into our state constitution on state and local spending for public services that could lead to harmful reductions in “vital services” such as education, fire and police protection, healthcare and transportation. NQE believes the proposal is a clear step in the wrong direction for our schools. Our education system needs help, and this measure would prevent the opportunity to adequately fund education in Nevada.
NQE Board Members Traveling The State
Presentations were made in Reno to the Nevada Association of School Superintendents (NASS) and The Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB) in an effort to open communication and connect communities across the state.
The trustees and superintendents have since been working with NQE to improve education and raise community commitment to education.
The NQE board also had the opportunity to meet with superintendents from Elko County, Carson City, Douglas County, Washoe County and Nye County. Much was learned about the achievements and needs of each district.
Interim Legislative Issues
While the Legislature is not officially in session, much work is still being done through interim committees. NQE board members continued dialogue with legislators, attended interim committee hearings and provided testimony regarding the Adequacy Funding Study (ACR10).
ACR10
While some of the public was surprised to learn that the firm Augenblick, Palaich and Assoc, Inc. found education to be under funded by 1.3 billion dollars, NQE was not surprised in the least. Those of us involved in education at the school level are well aware of the gross funding shortages that affect our children.
Senator Mike Schneider has submitted Bill Draft Request (BDR) # 34 for the 2007 Legislative Session. The BDR requires the amount of money expended per pupil to meet or exceed the national average. Should this legislation pass, the cost will be approximately 1.6 billion dollars.
NQE is in support of legislation that raises the per pupil expenditure and believes that we can get there without raising taxes to do so.
Reno Parental Summit Meeting
NQE board members attended the summit held in Reno. The meeting was sponsored by Nevada PTA and the Nevada Department of Education. This was the first state-wide meeting regarding parental involvement. The meeting was well attended by parents, administrators, trustees and legislators.
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