LETTERS: GOP holds up Sandoval on education

To the editor:

The Clark County School District needs 2,600 more teachers to sharply improve public school performance. You can call it 2,600 teachers, or you can call it the salaries needed for those teachers — it is the same thing, right?

Republicans have been telling us that money is not the problem; rather, accountability, the need for testing and those darn teacher unions are the problem. Gov. Brian Sandoval tells us we need more charter schools, but he has also told us that more than 20 of the schools that do not meet standards are in fact charter schools. So, what will he do? Turn those charter schools into charter schools?

The governor is trying to do the right thing here, with his proposal to raise money for education. But let’s be clear on just what the problem is: no desire on the part of the right to foot the financial bill for educational needs of Nevada children, especially those with special needs imposed by poverty.

Just the phrase “tax increase for public education” sends these folks into a tizzy, with some grabbing for the rope to hang their own Republican governor.

The sad thing is that the Republicans can moan about taxes and big government, but what they can’t seem to do is govern and provide for the needs of this state. What happens when one of their own actually tries to do this? They turn on that person.

RICHARD L. STRICKLAND

NORTH LAS VEGAS

Teacher shortage

To the editor:

I was glad to hear that Gov. Brian Sandoval, in his State of the State speech, feels it is important to address education in Nevada. However, the most critical element required to turn education around in Nevada was not addressed. The real crisis is the state’s inability to hire and retain highly qualified teachers for every classroom.

Already, the Clark County School District is short around 600 licensed staff members. My district, Churchill County, has been short-handed all year, and I know other rural districts have also not been able to fill licensed positions.

BECKY DODD

FALLON