Salary Cuts to Cushion Layoff Blow

A 6.9% reduction in Nevada’s state-wide K-12 education budget was approved by legislators in a special session on Sunday. Exact layoff figures were not given, simply a promise of reduced numbers if a 2-4% salary decrease went into effect.

“We have talked about the need for a ‘shared sacrifice,” said Joyce Haldeman, the district’s associate superintendent of government relations. “We could save many jobs if they do that.”

The impact of the loss in state-wide funding could be more than 2,300 teachers in Clark County, said Superintendent Walt Rulffes.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said when the next regular session in February of 2011 begins, the state budget may be short by as much as $3.4 billion.

“We leave Carson City saying thank you Legislature, thank you governor, but the real cliff comes next February. That is when the tough decisions start,” said Chancellor Dan Klaich.