I have been meaning to write this post since this article appeared in the Las Vegas Review Journal a couple of weeks ago. The focus of the article is about the large cuts that states like Nevada, Arizona, and Florida would see in their share of the Perkins Grant funding. I have sat in numerous conferences and meetings and I almost understand the hold harmless provision in the Perkins funding. The general gist of the funding is that if the Department of Education does not allocate X number of dollars for Perkins Grant funding in their budget, all of the states go back to the funding they received in 1998 (or some year close to that).

Nevada experienced a large growth in students between 1998 and now and that is why there is the potential for a 41% cut in career and technical education funding. One of the few bright spots in education in Nevada and especially in Clark County is the career and technical education programs. A 41% cut statewide with severely impact the programs that can be offered.

I have yet to see anyone running for a political office in Nevada address this issue. Of course, they are also ignoring all the other issues related to education so I am not sure how offended I should be. I am starting to think that the first candidate to deliver a meaningful speech on education in Nevada is going to get my vote.