Schools superintendent seeks $1 million in private funds for budget study

By Anthony Ramirez

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 | 9:15 p.m.

Dwight Jones, the new Clark County schools superintendent, said Thursday that he will seek up to $1 million in private funding for a rigorous analysis of the School District’s $2 billion budget.

The money would go to temporarily hire analysts to analyze “our return on investment,” he told a regularly scheduled meeting of the school board.

Jones said he had already secured a $400,000 commitment from the Lincy Foundation.

If he can get the $1 million, Jones said, the analysis would be completed within six to eight months. He planned to report further to the school board Jan. 27.

“I’m not going to use general fund dollars,” Jones said.

Meanwhile, Jeff Weiler, the chief financial officer, reiterated that next year’s budget is expected to be $180 million short, even before any cuts ordered by the state Legislature to close a $1 billion-plus state deficit.

The shortfall, due mainly to falling property tax receipts, means 2,500 positions, including teachers, might be eliminated. The exact number is subject to negotiation with the teachers union and other unions.

Weiler and Jones met with Gov. Brian Sandoval and his staff earlier this month. The governor’s staff expressed a desire to use school construction dollars for operating expenses, which concerns the district.

“We did not initiate the conversation,” Weiler said.

CORRECTION: This story has been changed to correct a reference to the Lincy Foundation, which was originally reported as the Lindsey Foundation. | (January 14, 2011)