CCEA unveils expert’s findings
on the school district’s budgetHundreds of teachers rally demanding more resources be put in the classroom
While several hundred teachers rallied in front of the school district building, CCEA held a press conference at the district’s offices on Thursday, January 26. Ready to take the message to the public were reporters from channels 8, 13, and Univision, as well as Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun. CCEA President Ruben Murillo, flanked by a group of teachers and community members, unveiled the results of a recent study that analyzed the school district’s budget.
The study, conducted by a forensic accountant with 25 years of experience in public financing, found that the district does not need to ask teachers for $39 million in concessions. In fact, the study demonstrated that no layoffs or the need to increase class size exists for the district to balance its budget.
The analysis found three undisputable facts:
1) That there are $16 million remaining from the Education Jobs Funds provided by the federal government. The District has not disputed this fact.
2) That there are $10-$27.5 million in salary savings from unfilled, but funded positions. Last year, the District had close to $20 million in salary savings. The District has not disputed that there will be salary savings.
3) There are $11.6 million in Food Service Enterprise Fund expenses that should be reimbursed to the General Fund. The 2011 Gibson Report that the District commissioned, and the School Board reviewed, recommended this course of action.
CCEA is calling for an independent audit of the school district’s budget and is willing to pay for half of the cost and abide by its findings. We also challenged the School Board Trustees to do the right thing by reviewing its budget, making investment in education a top priority, and adding more resources in the classrooms. We further urged the Trustees to visit classrooms in their districts to observe firsthand the instruction being delivered to our students. Trustees cannot continue to ignore a problem that continues to grow, and will not go away on its own.
CCEA concluded the press conference with this final statement: “Members of the School Board, you have been elected to represent the interests and educational well-being of over 300,000 students attending Clark County’s schools – DO NOT FAIL THEM! They are counting on you to do the right thing.”
At 6:00 p.m. a large group of teachers proceeded to the Boardroom and the foyer area to support teachers speaking before the Trustees. As anticipated, teachers, including CCEA Vice President Rob Benson, delivered impassioned speeches to the School Board. Two members, Carolyn S. Myers and Richard Tellier, shared their statements with us. (To view them, click on their names.)
It is crucial that we ALL join in the fight. It is about our students receiving the education they need and deserve. It is about you – the teachers in Clark County’s public schools – having a voice in the classroom. Don’t sit idly by while the district tries to steamroll you – step up to the plate and participate. Mark your calendar for February 8. We will hold a demonstration at the District’s Sahara building. More details to follow.
Take charge of your profession. Speak up! Let your voice be heard!
on the school district’s budgetHundreds of teachers rally demanding more resources be put in the classroom
While several hundred teachers rallied in front of the school district building, CCEA held a press conference at the district’s offices on Thursday, January 26. Ready to take the message to the public were reporters from channels 8, 13, and Univision, as well as Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun. CCEA President Ruben Murillo, flanked by a group of teachers and community members, unveiled the results of a recent study that analyzed the school district’s budget.
The study, conducted by a forensic accountant with 25 years of experience in public financing, found that the district does not need to ask teachers for $39 million in concessions. In fact, the study demonstrated that no layoffs or the need to increase class size exists for the district to balance its budget.
The analysis found three undisputable facts:
1) That there are $16 million remaining from the Education Jobs Funds provided by the federal government. The District has not disputed this fact.
2) That there are $10-$27.5 million in salary savings from unfilled, but funded positions. Last year, the District had close to $20 million in salary savings. The District has not disputed that there will be salary savings.
3) There are $11.6 million in Food Service Enterprise Fund expenses that should be reimbursed to the General Fund. The 2011 Gibson Report that the District commissioned, and the School Board reviewed, recommended this course of action.
CCEA is calling for an independent audit of the school district’s budget and is willing to pay for half of the cost and abide by its findings. We also challenged the School Board Trustees to do the right thing by reviewing its budget, making investment in education a top priority, and adding more resources in the classrooms. We further urged the Trustees to visit classrooms in their districts to observe firsthand the instruction being delivered to our students. Trustees cannot continue to ignore a problem that continues to grow, and will not go away on its own.
CCEA concluded the press conference with this final statement: “Members of the School Board, you have been elected to represent the interests and educational well-being of over 300,000 students attending Clark County’s schools – DO NOT FAIL THEM! They are counting on you to do the right thing.”
At 6:00 p.m. a large group of teachers proceeded to the Boardroom and the foyer area to support teachers speaking before the Trustees. As anticipated, teachers, including CCEA Vice President Rob Benson, delivered impassioned speeches to the School Board. Two members, Carolyn S. Myers and Richard Tellier, shared their statements with us. (To view them, click on their names.)
It is crucial that we ALL join in the fight. It is about our students receiving the education they need and deserve. It is about you – the teachers in Clark County’s public schools – having a voice in the classroom. Don’t sit idly by while the district tries to steamroll you – step up to the plate and participate. Mark your calendar for February 8. We will hold a demonstration at the District’s Sahara building. More details to follow.
Take charge of your profession. Speak up! Let your voice be heard!