In every school district throughout the state of Nevada, boards of school trustees and superintendents are united in their concern over the inadequate funding of public education.
Whereas, every school district in Nevada strives to provide a quality education for every student that culminates in college and career readiness; and
Whereas, every school district in Nevada is united in the belief that ALL students deserve to be successful; and
Whereas, public education has been significantly impacted by the recent recession, and Nevada school districts are still recovering from cuts, deferrals, and reductions; and
Whereas, school board and their superintendents have no ability to generate funding, yet they are held responsible for operating school districts using the funds allocated by the Legislature; and
Whereas, over the course of time, the Nevada State Legislature has redirected significant revenues raised in the name of public education and repurposed those funds for other uses in the state's General Fund Budget; and
Whereas, personnel costs utilize approximately ninety percent of public education budgets across the seventeen school districts; and
Whereas, moving to higher educational expectations and more rigorous Nevada Academic Content Standards requires funding related to enhanced professional development, updated technology, and appropriate classroom materials; and
Whereas, these basic expenses are known as the base and are costs that increase every year; and
Whereas, funding levels for public education in Nevada consistently rank among the lowest in the nation; and
Whereas, the simple redistribution of inadequate funding in inadequate; and
Whereas, the revision of a current funding formula will not be successful if adequate base funding is not also addressed; and
Whereas, data indicate Nevada is on a good track in improving its graduation rate, thereby allowing more students to reach the level of achievement envisioned by Legislature; and
Whereas, in order to continue on that path, education has to become a higher priority for funding; and
Whereas, reallocating funds without growing those funds will prohibit adequate opportunities for learning and achievement for every Nevada student;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Humboldt County School District Board of Trustees agree in encouraging the Nevada State Legislature to take all revenues collected from Nevada citizens intended to fund public education and allocate them for that purpose only; and
Now, therefore, be it further resolved that the Humboldt County School District Board of Trustees agree in encouraging the Nevada State Legislature to revise the education funding formula that includes funding for the base which recognizes the actual costs of personnel, professional development, technology, and classroom materials; and
And, be it further resolved that the new formula must include weighted funding for those students who face roadblocks to learning including, but not limited to, English language acquisition, special education needs, and living in poverty; and
As Nevada school boards of trustees and superintendents, we commit to working together with educators, parents, community and business leaders, and legislative policymakers to bring about a positive change in funding for public education in Nevada that will make a difference for each student.
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