Education program cuts examined by legislators

CARSON CITY -- Education officials said Wednesday that two extra days a year are needed to train Nevada teachers - but the $22 million cost wasn't included in Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed budget.

State schools chief Mary Peterson asked legislative budget committees to approve the money, saying the teacher training is "absolutely essential" to students' success.

But Senate Finance Chairman Bill Raggio, R-Reno, questioned why teachers couldn't get the training on their own time instead of adding two paid workdays to the current 180-day schedule. He also asked why the cost was so high.

"Is it fair to say they have some responsibility to prepare themselves to teach the higher standards?" he said. "Anybody who is in a position - private or public position - has some responsibility to keep up their expertise."

In asking whether the state could set up training that teachers could attend without pay, Raggio said he expects to hear complaints from a lot of people - including his daughter, a fourth-grade teacher.

But he added, "I just think there's a level of commitment among teachers to get that program going."

Peterson said the $22 million was an estimate on only one plan, extending the school year for teacher training. He said other options needed to be studied before a decision was made.

Another funding cut by Guinn affects a new and nearly completed statewide record system for schools. Records for all schools except Clark County have been consolidated in the computerized SMART system, but education officials want $9 million more to finish the job.

Once completed, the system will compile student records at a school level, then transfer that information to the district. Eventually, students' transcripts could be forwarded electronically to a new district or to a university.

The information gathered would also be used to generate reports that legislators use to make policy.

Legislators also asked about other programs, such as Holocaust education and Classroom on Wheels, left out of Guinn's spending plan.

"It seems that someone has cut funds that had a meaningful purpose when we approved them," said Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas. "These were programs that were intended to continue."

Guinn also left out funding for two committees that form academic standards and study how to best put technology in classrooms.

Peterson said both those committees are required by law to meet several times over the next two years, but there are no funds in the executive budget to do so.

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