Thread by @ColtonLochhead

Assembly now taking up AB 2, which is being presented by John Vellardita, executive director of the Clark County teachers union. CCEA presented an amendment to that proposal that would limit which schools the district could sweep unspent funds from.

Vellardita calls the proposed cuts to SB 178 and Read By 3 programs "draconian."

"Those schools are the poorest schools in the school district. Theres a reason why they have this money going into the schools."

Vellardita, contd': Said a vast majority of the schools that get $ for Read by 3 and from SB 178 won't have any carry over to backfill those programs if the funding is cut by the state.

Vellardita: "If there is no rescinding of these cuts proposed around SB178 and Read by 3, then we must use these carryover dolalrs for how they were intend to be used."

Vellardita, summing up the bill with amendment: "It's an attempt to look at carryover dollars in CCSD that could be repurposed with strict conditions to go back right into those schools precincts that have lost instructional services and programs as a result of these cuts."

Assemblywoman Brittney Miller, a CCSD teacher, calls the bill "redundant."

Says she wants to know the process for how that money is supposed to go back into the schools.

Miller said she doesn't understand why the District would pull the money back to then essentially send the money back, when the money is already at the school level.

Vellardita said that if proposed cuts go through, 81% of those schools won't have any significant carry over dollars for those programs (SB 178 and Read By 3)

Vellardita: "Under AB 2, the district takes the carryover, so to speak. But if the school loses money say from SB 178 then district is obligated to return that money to the school to backfill the program "

Miller responds: Wouldn't it be simpler to just mandate that the schools with carryover funds use those funds to fill the potential reductions to the programs?

Vellardita says it's an equity issue, that those schools that would lose the program funds from the cuts would not be able to fill those programs, while the schools in affluent areas dont have a way to spend their money and don't utilize programs like Read by 3

Assemblywoman Dina Neal says majority of schools in her district are facing 178/Read by 3 cuts. She wants to know how there will be equity by giving money to the schools rather than letter those schools, which have carry over dollars to backfill those programs, do it themselves

Vellardita repeats what he said before about there not beign enough $$ to backfill those programs. Said that this would all go away if there was tax revenue increase and this bill would not be needed.

Vellardita notes that he/CCEA ddin't bring the bill, even though he is the one presenting it, and CCEA's amendment to it.

Speaker Frierson interjects, notes that it was CCSD was the one who requested the bill until the governor's proclamation came out.

Vellardita having a back and forth with Assemblywoman Selena Torres, who noted that CCSD Superintendent Jara told lawmakers earlier this week that the bill wasn't needed, and that the money would remain at the school level.

Torres asks that if CCSD doesn't need the bill, why does CCEA?

Vellardita: "You'll have ot ask the superintendent....We did not introduce this bill. We introduced an amendment to a bill."

Assemblyman Alexander Assefa asks if CCEA has talked to principals about this, which Vellardita says no, that there has not been time.

The Clark County Adminstrator's Assoc told us that they would rather see the $$ stay at the schools

“When that money disappears, plans that schools and school principals have made will be null and void," Stephen Augspurger, executive director of the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-Technical Employees said.
reviewjournal.com/news/politics-…

Assemblywoman Sarah Peters asks "why should we support a bill that seems to undermine the original purpose of giving our principals more autonomy over the funding program?"

Assemblywoman Kasina Boone, who was sworn in on Day 1 of the special session, notes that why Vellardita repeatedly said he didnt bring the bill, she asks why he is advocating for it without having reached out to principals for their thoughts

Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton: She appreciates Vellardita advocating for students in Clark

"But if we can’t come up w/a comprehensive solution to address everything in this state, then I dont think it would be fair to the kids in the other 16 counties.

That was not a question."

The Assembly Committee of the whole is done, assembly floor session now happening. Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui uses comment period to lambaste Assemblyman Greg Hafen for his suggestion that lawmakers also take a 4.6% pay cut, the same as state workers.

Jauregui: "If you are actually concerned about state workers.....then you need to be willing to do more than the grandstanding proposal to return $430 of your salary to the state.”

Pay for Nevada Assembly members is about $9,000

Back to the committee, where CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara is now talking, wants to address comments about CCSD asking for AB 2

Jara said he indicated the day before the Special Session started, he did not want the bill.

"I just want to go on the record that on July 7, I spoke to the speaker that I do not want this bill to move forward."

This is in regards to AB2, which would allow CCSD to use schools' unspent money for its own budget.

Frierson: "I want to make it abundantly clear that AB2 was exclusively the request of CCSD to be placed on the agenda. And that request was withdrawn two hours before the actual proclamation was issued.

"You don't get to light a fire cracker and run just before it goes off."

Frierson clearly upset with CCSD/Jara's changing position on this bill.

Repeats he just wanted to make clear who made the request, and chides Jara for responding "in a public comment forum as opposed to taking responsibility."

Realizing I didn't properly end this lengthy thread.

#NVleg will be back Monday. I'll probably be sleeping until then, much like this little guy.