Setting the Record Straight: Education and Race to the Top
THE CLAIM: Sharron Angle, Lame-duck Gov. Jim Gibbons and the Republican National Committee are blaming Harry Reid for NV missing out on the latest round of Race to the Top funds.
THE FACTS: Jim Gibbons is the reason Nevada didn’t receive Race to the Top funding. No one has done more for education in NV than Harry Reid, and if it were up to Sharron Angle, NV wouldn't get a dime for education.
1. Despite pressure from Sen. Reid and numerous Nevada educators, Jim Gibbons didn’t even bother to apply for funding during the initial application process. [Review-Journal, 12/2/09, Nevada Appeal, 12/18/09
2. If it was up to Sharron Angle, Nevada wouldn’t have even tried to get the money, and the Department of Education wouldn’t exist. [Las Vegas Sun, 6/1/10]
3. Sen. Reid delivered more than $445 million in education funding for NV through the Recovery Act. Had Sharron Angle had her way, Nevada would have received 0 dollars. [Recovery.gov, State Funding Totals By Agency]
4. In the last two years alone, Sen. Reid has delivered more than $4 million dollars for Nevada schools. If Angle had her way, Nevada would again have received 0 dollars. [Politico, 7/25/10]
5. As many as 3,600 Nevada Education jobs, including 1,400 in Clark County Alone have been created or saved thanks to the Recovery Act that Reid passed, and Angle opposed. [Review-Journal, 11/3/09; Nevada Faculty Alliance, 1/6/10]
IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, HARRY REID HAS WORKED HARD TO HELP PROVIDED BADLY-NEEDED FUNDING TO NEVADA SCHOOLS
Nevada Has Already Received More Than $445 Million In Recovery Act Funding For Education. According to the Recovery Board website, Nevada has been awarded $445,250,354 in Recovery Act funding from the Department of Education. [Recovery.gov, State Funding Totals By Agency] Note: Angle opposed the Recovery Act, which means if she had gotten her way Nevada schools would have received zero dollars.
As Many As 3,600 Nevada Education Jobs, Including 1,400 In Clark County Schools Alone, Have Been Created Or Saved Thanks To The Recovery Act. In November 2009, the Review-Journal reported, “The Clark County School District has saved or created 1,400 teaching and support staff jobs with federal stimulus funds, officials said Monday. The district is the state’s single largest recipient of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.” Those 1,400 jobs were one part of roughly 3,600 education jobs around Nevada created or saved thanks to the Recovery Act. [Review-Journal, 11/3/09; Nevada Faculty Alliance, 1/6/10]
Nevada Stimulus Director: “We’ve Been Able To Save Jobs.” When asked about the 1,400 jobs saved or created in Clark County schools, Nevada Stimulus Director Charles Harvey said, “We utilized state fiscal stabilization funds to basically retain thousands of jobs within the school district. And so those are educators and administrators that are directly – those positions are directly tied to the stimulus funds that have been utilized. So we’ve been able to save jobs in that regard.” [KNPR, Charles Harvey Interview, 11/3/09]
Washoe County Schools Got More Than $6 Million In Recovery Act Funding That Created Or Saved At Least 84 Jobs. In May 2009, the Daily Sparks Tribune reported, “According to Kristen McNeill, director of state and federal programs for the WCSD, under a draft plan a portion of $6.1 million in stimulus funding specifically dedicated to Title I schools will save about 60 positions for one or two academic years and improve student achievement, especially among groups most in need of intervention and corrective action, such as low-income students and limited-English learners.” In October 2009 the Gazette-Journal reported, “Some of the $254 million Nevada is expecting in education funding from the federal government under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has already made a difference in Washoe County schools … About $6.2 million went toward hiring 24 intervention teachers, professional development, a home-visit pilot program, parent involvement, early childhood education, homeless student support, a $75 per pupil increase at each Title I school, dropout prevention and additional dollars for Bennett Elementary School in Sun Valley.” [Daily Sparks Tribune 5/19/09; Gazette-Journal, 10/7/09]
Washoe County School District Will Use Recovery Act Funds To Save Taxpayers Money By Adding Solar Power Technology To 40 Schools, Saving Each School An Estimated $14,000 Per Year. In a March 2010 Op/Ed, Washoe County School District Trustee Ken Grein wrote, “WCSD is showing it is possible to enhance education while simultaneously saving money and the earth through two new green initiatives taking place at local schools … About 40 schools are expected to receive a type of solar technology … Once installed, we expect them to generate free energy for 20 to 25 years. The initial cost of installation for the first few solar technology projects is being offset by economic stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Rebates from NV Energy's SolarGenerations program will then fund future projects at other schools. The anticipated savings per year, per school: $14,000.” [Gazette-Journal, 3/17/10]
Reid Joined Educators In Calling On Gibbons To Apply For Race To The Top Funding Last Year. In December 2009, the Review-Journal reported, “Momentum is growing to hold a special session of the state Legislature in coming weeks if only to change a law on teacher evaluations and make Nevada eligible for as much as $175 million in federal education grants. U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Nevada State Education Association President Lynn Warne today joined the bandwagon of people urging Gov. Jim Gibbons to include the grant item on the agenda if he calls the Legislature into session … In a letter to Gibbons, Reid urged the governor to include on the agenda of any special session an item to make Nevada eligible for as much as a $175 million Race to the Top federal challenge grant for education … Reid stated in a news release that this law could be changed in time to meet a Jan. 19 deadline to apply for the grant if the governor includes it on the agenda of a special session. ‘It is in our state’s interest to act as soon as possible to ensure that Nevada is able to apply,’ Reid said.” [Review-Journal, 12/2/09] Note: Sharron Angle opposed the Race to the Top program altogether and would have opposed Nevada’s application in the first place.
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS ALONE, REID HAS DELIVERED MORE THAN $4 MILLION DOLLARS FOR NEVADA SCHOOLS (Note: these are all funds that Sharron Angle wouldn’t fight to deliver for Nevada’s students and teachers)
Reid Delivered $425,000 For Improved Science Education Technology For Nye County. In FY 2010, Reid secured $425,000 for the Nye County School District that “will be used to purchase interactive science curriculum and equipment for several rural middle schools in the district,” according to Reid’s office. “This funding would enhance the curriculum for several thousand middle school students.” [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Press Release, 12/13/09]
Reid Delivered $143,000 For Career Education Programs In Nye County Schools. In FY 2009, Reid secured $143,000 for the Nye County School District “for a Creative Learning SmartLab at Pahrump Valley High School designed to help students learn about different careers,” according to the Pahrump Valley Times. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Pahrump Valley Times, 5/18/09]
Reid Delivered $350,000 For Educational Equipment For Lyon County Schools. In FY 2010, Reid secured $350,000 for the Lyon County School District For career and technical education equipment. [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered $24,000 For Early Education In Lincoln County. In the FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill, Reid secured $24,000 to expand early education services in the Lincoln County School District for low-income students. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Release, 3/19/09]
Reid Delivered More Than $600,000 For Technology Upgrades In Elko County Schools. In FY 2009, Reid secured $618,000 for technology upgrades to enhance distance education services in the Elko County School District. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Release, 3/11/09]
Reid Delivered More Than $400,000 For Arts Education In Clark County. In FY 2009, Reid secured $409,000 for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas to develop an arts education program for teachers and students at the K-12 levels. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered $600,000 For Gifted Education In Clark County. In FY 2010, Reid secured $600,000 for Clark County Schools for a school for highly gifted students. [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered More Than $850,000 For Dropout Prevention In Washoe County. In FY 2009, Reid secured $856,000 for dropout prevention programs in Washoe County. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered $1 Million For Teacher Training And Development In Washoe County. In FY 2010, Reid secured $500,000 for Washoe County Schools to implement a new teacher induction and mentoring program to help support novice teachers and $500,000 for K-12 instructional coaches to foster professional development and help improve student achievement in the district. [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Press Release, 12/13/09]
Setting the Record Straight: Education and Race to the Top
THE CLAIM: Sharron Angle, Lame-duck Gov. Jim Gibbons and the Republican National Committee are blaming Harry Reid for NV missing out on the latest round of Race to the Top funds.
THE FACTS: Jim Gibbons is the reason Nevada didn’t receive Race to the Top funding. No one has done more for education in NV than Harry Reid, and if it were up to Sharron Angle, NV wouldn't get a dime for education.
1. Despite pressure from Sen. Reid and numerous Nevada educators, Jim Gibbons didn’t even bother to apply for funding during the initial application process. [Review-Journal, 12/2/09, Nevada Appeal, 12/18/09
2. If it was up to Sharron Angle, Nevada wouldn’t have even tried to get the money, and the Department of Education wouldn’t exist. [Las Vegas Sun, 6/1/10]
3. Sen. Reid delivered more than $445 million in education funding for NV through the Recovery Act. Had Sharron Angle had her way, Nevada would have received 0 dollars. [Recovery.gov, State Funding Totals By Agency]
4. In the last two years alone, Sen. Reid has delivered more than $4 million dollars for Nevada schools. If Angle had her way, Nevada would again have received 0 dollars. [Politico, 7/25/10]
5. As many as 3,600 Nevada Education jobs, including 1,400 in Clark County Alone have been created or saved thanks to the Recovery Act that Reid passed, and Angle opposed. [Review-Journal, 11/3/09; Nevada Faculty Alliance, 1/6/10]
IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, HARRY REID HAS WORKED HARD TO HELP PROVIDED BADLY-NEEDED FUNDING TO NEVADA SCHOOLS
Nevada Has Already Received More Than $445 Million In Recovery Act Funding For Education. According to the Recovery Board website, Nevada has been awarded $445,250,354 in Recovery Act funding from the Department of Education. [Recovery.gov, State Funding Totals By Agency] Note: Angle opposed the Recovery Act, which means if she had gotten her way Nevada schools would have received zero dollars.
As Many As 3,600 Nevada Education Jobs, Including 1,400 In Clark County Schools Alone, Have Been Created Or Saved Thanks To The Recovery Act. In November 2009, the Review-Journal reported, “The Clark County School District has saved or created 1,400 teaching and support staff jobs with federal stimulus funds, officials said Monday. The district is the state’s single largest recipient of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.” Those 1,400 jobs were one part of roughly 3,600 education jobs around Nevada created or saved thanks to the Recovery Act. [Review-Journal, 11/3/09; Nevada Faculty Alliance, 1/6/10]
Nevada Stimulus Director: “We’ve Been Able To Save Jobs.” When asked about the 1,400 jobs saved or created in Clark County schools, Nevada Stimulus Director Charles Harvey said, “We utilized state fiscal stabilization funds to basically retain thousands of jobs within the school district. And so those are educators and administrators that are directly – those positions are directly tied to the stimulus funds that have been utilized. So we’ve been able to save jobs in that regard.” [KNPR, Charles Harvey Interview, 11/3/09]
Washoe County Schools Got More Than $6 Million In Recovery Act Funding That Created Or Saved At Least 84 Jobs. In May 2009, the Daily Sparks Tribune reported, “According to Kristen McNeill, director of state and federal programs for the WCSD, under a draft plan a portion of $6.1 million in stimulus funding specifically dedicated to Title I schools will save about 60 positions for one or two academic years and improve student achievement, especially among groups most in need of intervention and corrective action, such as low-income students and limited-English learners.” In October 2009 the Gazette-Journal reported, “Some of the $254 million Nevada is expecting in education funding from the federal government under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has already made a difference in Washoe County schools … About $6.2 million went toward hiring 24 intervention teachers, professional development, a home-visit pilot program, parent involvement, early childhood education, homeless student support, a $75 per pupil increase at each Title I school, dropout prevention and additional dollars for Bennett Elementary School in Sun Valley.” [Daily Sparks Tribune 5/19/09; Gazette-Journal, 10/7/09]
Washoe County School District Will Use Recovery Act Funds To Save Taxpayers Money By Adding Solar Power Technology To 40 Schools, Saving Each School An Estimated $14,000 Per Year. In a March 2010 Op/Ed, Washoe County School District Trustee Ken Grein wrote, “WCSD is showing it is possible to enhance education while simultaneously saving money and the earth through two new green initiatives taking place at local schools … About 40 schools are expected to receive a type of solar technology … Once installed, we expect them to generate free energy for 20 to 25 years. The initial cost of installation for the first few solar technology projects is being offset by economic stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Rebates from NV Energy's SolarGenerations program will then fund future projects at other schools. The anticipated savings per year, per school: $14,000.” [Gazette-Journal, 3/17/10]
Reid Joined Educators In Calling On Gibbons To Apply For Race To The Top Funding Last Year. In December 2009, the Review-Journal reported, “Momentum is growing to hold a special session of the state Legislature in coming weeks if only to change a law on teacher evaluations and make Nevada eligible for as much as $175 million in federal education grants. U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Nevada State Education Association President Lynn Warne today joined the bandwagon of people urging Gov. Jim Gibbons to include the grant item on the agenda if he calls the Legislature into session … In a letter to Gibbons, Reid urged the governor to include on the agenda of any special session an item to make Nevada eligible for as much as a $175 million Race to the Top federal challenge grant for education … Reid stated in a news release that this law could be changed in time to meet a Jan. 19 deadline to apply for the grant if the governor includes it on the agenda of a special session. ‘It is in our state’s interest to act as soon as possible to ensure that Nevada is able to apply,’ Reid said.” [Review-Journal, 12/2/09] Note: Sharron Angle opposed the Race to the Top program altogether and would have opposed Nevada’s application in the first place.
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS ALONE, REID HAS DELIVERED MORE THAN $4 MILLION DOLLARS FOR NEVADA SCHOOLS (Note: these are all funds that Sharron Angle wouldn’t fight to deliver for Nevada’s students and teachers)
Reid Delivered $425,000 For Improved Science Education Technology For Nye County. In FY 2010, Reid secured $425,000 for the Nye County School District that “will be used to purchase interactive science curriculum and equipment for several rural middle schools in the district,” according to Reid’s office. “This funding would enhance the curriculum for several thousand middle school students.” [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Press Release, 12/13/09]
Reid Delivered $143,000 For Career Education Programs In Nye County Schools. In FY 2009, Reid secured $143,000 for the Nye County School District “for a Creative Learning SmartLab at Pahrump Valley High School designed to help students learn about different careers,” according to the Pahrump Valley Times. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Pahrump Valley Times, 5/18/09]
Reid Delivered $350,000 For Educational Equipment For Lyon County Schools. In FY 2010, Reid secured $350,000 for the Lyon County School District For career and technical education equipment. [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered $24,000 For Early Education In Lincoln County. In the FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill, Reid secured $24,000 to expand early education services in the Lincoln County School District for low-income students. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Release, 3/19/09]
Reid Delivered More Than $600,000 For Technology Upgrades In Elko County Schools. In FY 2009, Reid secured $618,000 for technology upgrades to enhance distance education services in the Elko County School District. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Release, 3/11/09]
Reid Delivered More Than $400,000 For Arts Education In Clark County. In FY 2009, Reid secured $409,000 for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas to develop an arts education program for teachers and students at the K-12 levels. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered $600,000 For Gifted Education In Clark County. In FY 2010, Reid secured $600,000 for Clark County Schools for a school for highly gifted students. [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered More Than $850,000 For Dropout Prevention In Washoe County. In FY 2009, Reid secured $856,000 for dropout prevention programs in Washoe County. [FY 2009 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill]
Reid Delivered $1 Million For Teacher Training And Development In Washoe County. In FY 2010, Reid secured $500,000 for Washoe County Schools to implement a new teacher induction and mentoring program to help support novice teachers and $500,000 for K-12 instructional coaches to foster professional development and help improve student achievement in the district. [FY 2010 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill; Reid Press Release, 12/13/09]
