Senate committee scrutinizes charter school funding and teacher raises

The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance convened on March 27, 2025, to discuss critical funding issues related to charter schools in Nevada. A significant focus of the meeting was the allocation of funds for teacher salaries and educational support professionals within both state-sponsored and school district-sponsored charter schools.

Committee members raised concerns about the accuracy of the data regarding the number of teachers and support staff included in the funding calculations. One member questioned whether the figures provided accounted for school district-sponsored charter schools, emphasizing the need for clarity on this matter. The response confirmed that the data pertained primarily to state-sponsored charter schools, with a commitment to provide further information on the inclusion of district-sponsored schools.

Senator Ken Azaro highlighted the importance of ensuring that allocated funds directly translate into salary raises for teachers. He expressed concerns that without proper oversight, funds could be misallocated, potentially not reaching the intended recipients. The senator advocated for a structured plan that would guarantee that any financial support for charter schools would indeed result in salary increases for educators.

The discussion also touched on the broader implications of the funding formula, with members considering the potential discrepancies it could create among different school districts. Azaro suggested that the proposed salary adjustment funds be managed separately from the pupil-centered funding plan to maintain clarity and ensure that raises are effectively distributed.

The meeting concluded with a reminder that the discussions were preliminary and aimed at guiding fiscal staff in their budget preparations. No final decisions were made, but the committee expressed a commitment to further investigate the details surrounding charter school funding and teacher salary allocations.