LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Negotiations between Clark County School District officials and representatives of the Clark County Education Association failed to find middle ground Friday leaving the possibility of a district-wide teacher strike on the table.
John Vellardita, CCEA executive director, said the district promised three years ago to give salary increases to any teacher who completed approved training.
"This is about column movement first and foremost," he said.
Money to fund the column movement salary advances wasn't included in the last contract offered by CCSD.
"The district has walked away from that commitment, that agreement," Vellardita said.
During the negotiations, CCEA rejected a district offer that would have given teachers a single payment equal to the promised salary increase, $5,400, but not increased their salary by that amount in subsequent years.
"The fact that they offered a one time payment is an insult," Vellardita said.
In a statement, CCSD officials said they will continue to negotiate.
"The Board of School Trustees and administration has not wavered and will continue to make out employees a top priority," the statement read.
Gov. Steve Sisolak said he wasn't taking sides in the negotiations, but laid the budget imbalance blame on the school district.
"I'm really angry st the situation that we are facing," Sisolak said.
He said if the Clark County School District needed more money to fulfill the contractual obligation it should have asked for it.
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"The fact that they did this, they did not ensure this was in their budget is astounding," Sisolak said, "they created this mess, and now they need to fix it."
Vellardita did not say if another meeting with the district was scheduled.
The strike date was set for Sept. 10.
