LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The debate over education funding went right down to the wire. But Monday night lawmakers passed Senate Bill 551 which redirects extra money gained from a payroll tax reduction to education.
Clark County Education Association President John Vellardita spoke with 13 Action News about the bill’s significance in the education funding equation,
“That's about $98 million over the biennium. That money has been designated to teacher salaries, school safety, So, that's another bucket of revenue to try and bridge the gap," he said.
Vellardita fears it will be challenged in court because it’s an extension of a tax that republicans say didn't get the required vote. But CCSD is applauding its passage saying it paves the way for employees to get pay raises. Employees would get on average a 2% seniority increase plus a three percent cost of living increase.
Superintendent Jesus Jara released this statement,
"My intention is to work with Trustees through our collective bargaining process to develop a plan to distribute those funds to all our employees," Jara said. "Thanks to Governor Sisolak and legislative leaders, we look forward to providing our hardworking employees with an average of a five percent raise."
But according to the Nevada Independent reps from the Nevada System of Higher Education say a miscalculation from the governor's finance office leaves them more than $6 million short of what they'd need to fund a cost of living increase.
