Nevada Senate advances two key education bills on administrator training and staff development

The Senate Committee on Education convened on April 11, 2025, to discuss and advance two significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving school administration and staff training in Nevada.

The first bill, Senate Bill 278, proposes to eliminate the requirement for prospective school administrators to complete a pre-service program before applying for positions within school districts. This change aims to streamline the hiring process for school administrators. The committee reviewed proposed amendments from Senator Cruz Crawford, which were made available for consideration. Following a motion to amend and pass the bill, the committee voted unanimously in favor, with a record of 7-0.

The second piece of legislation, Senate Bill 374, mandates that school district boards of trustees provide professional development training for staff related to pupil discipline and behavior. This bill is designed to enhance the skills of educators in managing student behavior effectively. An additional amendment was discussed, which would align this training with existing requirements for progressive discipline training established in Assembly Bill 285 from the 2023 session. The committee also voted unanimously to amend and pass this bill, again recording a 7-0 vote.

The meeting concluded with a call for public comment, but no members of the public were present to speak, either in person or via phone. The committee adjourned shortly thereafter, marking a productive session focused on key educational reforms in Nevada.