[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,98],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6659233,"mediaKeyId","2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845","parentId",2472390,"title","Senate committee reviews $15 million teacher supplies proposal using DonorsChoose platform","audioSeconds",2833,"startMs",6557000,"endMs",9390000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845&start=6557&end=9390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845/thumbnail_6557000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659233/Nevada/Senate-committee-reviews-15-million-teacher-supplies-proposal-using-DonorsChoose-platform","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659233-ed84e8578e14177e81c9a9f87db7646e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770105650&Signature=mQckHM2K9kZNYOy4sjT~vpM3rvCw4ycsaP9GFcjMgpdOLKa~8pLA9Dpk6Eb2BnfpTPl5B7BvLIMKkPjL6xxefBBdaep0gVSzVCkcUoNuJtI1TceidLwwLuxj2R8xc7UQHDuQxm~BEm2eIIDfE4~NP52K7bWlw9D7LPoiXuBALeSKaba8TDVx-B-3FFjRlSMLQzt9DufrijDRgrO2JyD38rU7l2jp5~iqJfUz0xz83SDAVdnnxKzFtfsrEOA8v8wgtY45vQFVhA3k2rmtKDnTORyiAoTDuGf3jFwKR8rf-6D-f9PbCJydFCVSo6m77hcmvjhT8mvgz12Yy36xnou9tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-03-03T18:43:45.27Z","article","Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop presented Senate Bill 90, which would appropriate $15,000,000 to the Nevada Department of Education to create a grant program enabling teachers and specialized instructional support personnel to obtain supplies and materials for classrooms and school operations through the DonorsChoose platform.

The bill would expand eligibility to include specialized instructional support personnel — a category the sponsor said refers to counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, speech‑language pathologists and school library media specialists — and set a per‑participant cap of $500, though additional funding could be combined from other sources. Dondero Loop described the requested amount as split across the biennium (7,500,000 per year) after the committee discussed the prior allocation and the need for recurring funding.

Joan Ebert, Nevada’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, clarified how the program works operationally: this is not a reimbursement model. Teachers place orders directly on DonorsChoose and, if the project aligns with Nevada academic standards, the request goes through a quick review and is fulfilled — typically within days — with supplies shipped directly to the teacher. Ebert said that during the previous biennium the $10,000,000 appropriation was fully expended within about two months and that the program drew 8,000 new teacher participants in its first year.

Committee members asked how DonorsChoose’s matching and operating costs work. Ebert confirmed DonorsChoose retains a portion to cover operating/shipping costs, but also funds matches and donor contributions that expanded the effective impact of the state appropriation; the hearing referenced roughly $600,000 in additional funds provided by DonorsChoose to cover project gaps in the last cycle. The superintendent also said district ownership policies vary: items like iPads purchased through the program are generally considered district property and tracking or custody is determined at the district level.

Tammy Trierio, representing the Nevada Classified School Employees and Public Workers Association, testified in opposition in part because the bill’s language, as written, might exclude some classified employees from reimbursement mechanisms. Trierio urged an amendment to ensure classified employees who buy small job‑related supplies (for example, bus aides purchasing picture‑based seat assignment props) would be eligible under the program or have a clear way to be reimbursed.

Supporters from the Nevada Association of School Boards, Nevada Association of School Superintendents, Clark County School District and multiple education groups testified in favor, describing the program as efficient and time‑saving for front office staff, with teachers reporting quick fulfillment and direct classroom benefits. Several witnesses said DonorsChoose reduces paperwork and results in supplies arriving in about five days, removing long reimbursement cycles.

No formal committee vote took place during the hearing. The sponsor and state education officials urged continued funding, and committee members asked staff to consider language clarifications to ensure equitable access for all school employees who perform instructional or student support tasks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/3/2025 - Senate Committee on Finance","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 90 would appropriate $15 million to the Nevada Department of Education to fund teacher and specialized instructional support personnel classroom supply requests through DonorsChoose, with up to $500 per eligible staff member and funds split across the biennium.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659238,"Senate panel hears $800,000 request to fund Nevada Center for Civic Engagement programs",4898,1440000,6338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845&start=1440&end=6338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845/thumbnail_1440000.jpg","/articles/6659238/Nevada/Senate-panel-hears-800000-request-to-fund-Nevada-Center-for-Civic-Engagement-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659238-e1e962a146573b665eb6d57ff7b2c964/orig.mp4?Expires=1770105650&Signature=c3TCn2K-3KhRfYp9fhiuDNLQgVth09YowlM4g3Ixfq7X6GzomSGaHnQYigYiDyu4DJud5OLb65p45oBHZw03ziY5oI9-Mz1oTpxiroJJI-IhaDVQVEAvp2~LGoYkXNMmniwZhXuEhXt3o42yE~BBQI6khmK50v6uY1fxCF0Lrlx1TwPIT61zYUkhPJuikuY-Ocn0tOyY3oK1a-Zi0B8-e7uVCpVah2UsEDdFxHv8zNagkez3Aq65vzaI5wS0LxaISxHftPPBSy40dyy0HeQuly7qyjFp1JyxgQMNK8rxrJLhGIlY0r4p94nPCyhCe9qGZzlqvpz-CKF~OQ1BlzZk~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and sponsor of Senate Bill 133, introduced a proposal that would appropriate $800,000 to the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement to support statewide civics education programs.

The funding would be dedicated to programs the center runs or supports, including We the People, National History Day, Civics in Action Summits and Kids Vention. The bill, as presented, also incorporates programs previously run by Voices in Voting under the center's umbrella. Dondero Loop told the committee the appropriation will help “support civic education programs across the state for the students and adults.”

The bill would include reporting and audit provisions: upon acceptance of funds the center must prepare an annual report describing each expenditure for the interim finance committee, and, upon request from the Legislative Commission, make records available to the legislative auditor.

Christine Hall, executive director of the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, told senators the center used prior state funding to expand year‑round professional learning for teachers, adding roughly 60 regularly participating teachers in the last biennium and supplying curricular materials to participating schools. Hall said the center estimates it currently reaches between 6,000 and 10,000 students per year through the teachers it trains and hopes, if funded, to expand programming from 10 school districts to at least 15 districts and double annual student impact to about 20,000 students per year.

Supporters who testified at the hearing included representatives from the Nevada Association of School Boards, Nevada Association of School Superintendents, the Nevada State Education Association, Clark County School District staff, alumni of We the People, and other community members. Tom Clark, speaking for the Reno‑Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Association of School Boards, said, “We need to expand these programs,” and Andrew McKay, a former treasurer of the center's board, described civic education as teaching students “how to listen” and urged continued legislative support.

Committee members asked for financial transparency and details about the center’s governance. Hall said the center has an 11‑member board and that its end‑of‑year financial report and the materials submitted to the interim finance committee are available online; she also said the center used previous state funds to leverage additional grant funding.

No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; the bill was presented and discussed during the hearing only. The sponsor and witnesses urged committee members to support the appropriation so the center could scale teacher professional learning, broaden district participation, and expand student access to civic education opportunities.

With questions answered and public testimony complete, Chair Dondero Loop closed the hearing on SB133 and moved on to the next agenda item.","Nevada lawmakers heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 133, which would appropriate $800,000 to the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement to expand civics programs such as We the People, National History Day and Kids Vention; sponsors and witnesses described program reach and accountability requirements.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659225,"Discovery Children's Museum seeks $500,000 for early childhood exhibit renewal",0,8756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845&start=8756&end=8756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845/thumbnail_8756000.jpg","/articles/6659225/Nevada/Discovery-Childrens-Museum-seeks-500000-for-early-childhood-exhibit-renewal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659225-a708de41f65546553e5ac487491c26c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770105650&Signature=VW7kBjJ9Hqx43EGx3vUpvIMde4rSFw7dGoTeue8mtOevuY1xvI~aWrynKSa5ScJnx7Hkm-44eT-BbpDO51HCDDPJwoaCzG4pINdbjucTLVQYFzrWO8JqV1aw8yZxh9t1fTND7GoRbYLDnHIJwaYplUTsSaJoji~ypK1CHtkDHhYrQhRvQgmK4JaagbexghjOuv0NJsi9y4yzLsRoMEjf8oKtnPl9MAT9gIvrW6hyYSwqAjbtJZ5n~XAgZMzVAaD7vj2MbV0Lk~5DywyX7HpbiBvLXV1eexXCU~qZZVi~XePx7KNYWAdH0NZbbBx3yg5FEnIQ~~njhI6xe-fBVVFHew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Edgar Flores introduced Senate Bill 190 and invited Melissa Kaiser, CEO of Discovery Children's Museum in Las Vegas, to present a request for a $500,000 appropriation to support exhibit renewal focused on early childhood education and literacy.

Kaiser described the museum as a longstanding community resource that serves roughly 250,000 visitors per year and operates a Museums for All program offering $5 admission to families receiving public assistance. The museum’s capital plan, supported by a $25 million campaign launched in 2021, aims to renew and expand exhibits across its three floors; the appropriation requested in SB190 would help the museum reach the fundraising benchmark needed to fabricate and install early‑childhood galleries, including an expanded “toddler town,” enhanced reading zones, a sensory calm‑down room and bilingual interpretive signage.

Kaiser said the museum has already raised about 75% of the funds needed for the new exhibits and is expanding its timeline to complete installations by mid‑2026. She described the toddler‑focused programming that has distributed more than 1,500 free books and an ongoing partnership with the L3 Coalition (Lifting Literacy Liberation) and the Clark County School District to improve early‑grade reading outcomes. The museum also highlighted workforce development ties: new exhibits will introduce children to state‑relevant industries such as healthcare, robotics and water conservation.

Supporters — including museum board members, the Nevada Disability Action Coalition and business representatives — spoke in favor of the appropriation, citing early childhood education’s return on investment and the museum’s regional reach. Board chair Boyd Nelson told the committee that early learning experiences “ignite a lifelong love of learning” and noted the museum’s role in preparing children for future careers and supporting low‑income families.

No votes or final action were recorded in the transcript for SB190; the museum and supporters urged the committee to invest in exhibits and programs aimed at young learners and families.","Discovery Children's Museum requested $500,000 in Senate Bill 190 to complete early childhood gallery renovations and literacy programs; testimony described the museum's visitor numbers, fundraising campaign and plans for toddler‑focused spaces and workforce‑related exhibits.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6659229,"‘Keeping Kids in School’ bill would send $4M to Communities In Schools after lawmakers hear program results",1338,7619000,8957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845&start=7619&end=8957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2472390-bd72f212b3b84387479c126e0cc94845/thumbnail_7619000.jpg","/articles/6659229/Nevada/Keeping-Kids-in-School-bill-would-send-4M-to-Communities-In-Schools-after-lawmakers-hear-program-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659229-a8dea9709088fb0844dec04f19778413/orig.mp4?Expires=1770105650&Signature=Q1U7heeR99lkkqJwXirVLI~a0Zm21TmtTpH0A~zLGVZhbkrF0ncQvisBwJrFRp1V9tQHmCCN5LgLHdBoXAFm-vkEuFGdmAZ15kXA2NVqqQjk1jmGL4iRF3KB05pA8d1M7za8nPonjB7iwSxCUrXaH~BtosssxTIKxHIPzhblFq5DV-JNGyRM~2hv2UCR~64CCe3Yv08ej0PeIWkqBD5urMxjIhwmy73c1ZULDpIyQStL0~CnEkLXM~g3fFoxoREpNN8LWFl7NKdu66pJpoNd87LKW5n5IXWwu9t2fKtbPN2hoPNk3aW38pFivLh1oNSQfQkwsNYuhG9hBaH8Mzo6tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro introduced Senate Bill 135, the “Keeping Kids in School Act,” which would appropriate $4,000,000 to expand the Services provided by Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS). Cannizzaro described CIS as an evidence‑based model of integrated student supports that places site coordinators on school campuses to address students’ basic needs and connect them to community services.

CIS representatives testified with data from the prior biennium showing expansion and measurable outcomes. Laura Meyer, representing CIS, said the organization grew from 92 to 118 schools during the last biennium, increased its full‑time site coordinator workforce by 20%, and served nearly 100,000 students with school‑wide supports; more than 7,000 students received case‑managed services. Meyer reported a 97% graduation rate among CIS case‑managed seniors and said CIS schools focusing on attendance saw notable declines in chronic absenteeism: of the 78 schools that targeted attendance, three‑quarters reduced chronic absenteeism by at least 5% and a third by at least 10%.

Tammy Hansel (Hansler in transcript), CIS chief executive, detailed the program model: full‑time CIS site coordinators are CIS employees embedded at schools, coordinate with MTSS teams, make outreach and home visits when appropriate, and connect families to services ranging from clothing and hygiene items to transportation and college‑application assistance. CIS staff said the organization prioritizes feeder‑pattern placements that follow students from elementary to middle to high school and that the program’s nonclinical approach relieves pressure on school counselors and administrators.

CIS contracts with school districts and typically uses a public‑private funding mix: schools or districts pay part of the per‑school cost (quoted ranges were about $34,000 to $59,000 for a full‑time site coordinator and program services), and CIS fundraises to cover the remaining 40–60% as needed. CIS officials and multiple district and education leaders — including trustees and superintendents — testified in support, describing the program as “shovel ready,” evidence‑based and critical to improving attendance and graduation outcomes.

Committee members asked technical questions about program approval, evidence and funding mechanics. CIS witnesses said the Nevada Department of Education had vetted and approved CIS as an evidence‑based wraparound model, and that demand remains high, with many schools on waitlists. The hearing closed with broad support among education associations and local partners; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","Senate Bill 135 proposes a $4 million appropriation for Communities In Schools (CIS) to expand site coordinators and integrated student supports; testimony highlighted improved attendance and high graduation rates among case‑managed students and described the program’s public‑private funding model.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee reviews $15 million teacher supplies proposal using DonorsChoose platform

Senate panel hears $800,000 request to fund Nevada Center for Civic Engagement programs

Discovery Children's Museum seeks $500,000 for early childhood exhibit renewal

‘Keeping Kids in School’ bill would send $4M to Communities In Schools after lawmakers hear program results