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Gov. Gibbons May Seek Law Repeal to Compete for Funds

Gov. Jim Gibbons says repealing a law that prevents the state from competing for millions of dollars in federal funds for public schools may be proposed if he calls a special session.

Nevada doesn't qualify for funds in the U.S. Department of Education's "Race to the Top" program because of a law that prevents student test scores from being used to evaluate teachers.

Nevada is one of four states that had such a law. The other three have or are repealing them, leaving Nevada the only state that would not be able to compete for the money.

If Nevada takes the money, which the governor's office says could be $70-$160 million, Nevada has to adopt the federal government's curriculum standards. That money can't just help pay to keep schools running, it's got to go to reforms and various enhancement efforts to overhaul the school system.

While he worries about the potential budget cuts in a special session, Washoe County Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison supports going for this money. "Even if the state is eligible to apply, which right now Nevada is not, it doesn't mean the state's gonna get it, but we certainly want to be in a position as a state where we can apply for that portion of the federal funds."

Teachers unions have opposed evaluating teachers on tests, but Dr. Morrison says they're talking with union officials about ways to make sure teachers' jobs don't hinge on just one test or another.

Education leaders are preparing to apply for the money if the law does change.

Gov. Gibbons says he'll decide after reviewing tax revenues later this month or in early December before deciding whether a special session is needed to address the state's fiscal woes.

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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)