District officials also are considering the big picture of education funding in Nevada. On Monday, School Board members approved a legislative bill draft that, if approved, would create a rainy day fund, or a "stabilization" account, for education.
Joyce Haldeman, associate superintendent for community relations, called the bill a "truth in advertising" measure to protect state funds earmarked for education.
Now, once state officials determine how much to budget for education, excess revenue from taxes dedicated to funding education reverts back to the state's general fund. Haldeman does not deny that the money is then used for worthwhile projects. But the funding is not going toward its intended use, she said.
She said "the guaranteed funding" is, in reality, a "guaranteed cut."
Haldeman said $192 million in excess education funding was returned to the general fund in 2007.