Aaron Ford wants to be Nevada's next governor. And he's got an education plan to prove it.
There's just one problem. The plan doesn't hold up to scrutiny. And the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial board isn't buying it either.
What Ford Is Proposing
Ford's education platform starts with universal school breakfast and lunch. His pitch? “Kids can't learn on an empty stomach.”
It's a nice line. But it sidesteps the facts.
Low-income public school students are already eligible for free school meals. Governor Lombardo's veto of a universal school meals bill kept taxpayers from subsidizing meals for middle- and upper-income families.
And in Clark County, it doesn't even matter — a federal program already provides free meals to all Clark County School District students, regardless of family income.
Ford's next big idea is to spend more money. He says Nevada should raise its per-pupil funding up to the national average.
That sounds reasonable until you look at the numbers.
More Money, Same Broken System
Nevada has been spending more on education for decades. It hasn't worked.
Nevada spent close to $10,000 per pupil in 2019. By 2021, that number climbed to almost $12,500. After a $12 billion education funding bill passed in 2023, per-pupil spending increased again by $2,500 for fiscal year 2025.
The results? Nevada ranked 48th in the nation for public school overall ranking in 2024. Its student success ranking was 45th.
Here's what makes it worse. Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah all spent less per pupil than Nevada. Half of those states outperformed Nevada on the NAEP 8th grade reading test. A majority outperformed Nevada in math.
So Ford wants to double down on a strategy with a 40-year track record of failure.
The Review-Journal calls his plan:
“evidence that Democrats have run out of ideas about how to improve schools.”
That's a tough verdict. But the data backs it up.
Who Pays for All This?
Here's the part that should make your wallet nervous.
The national average for per-pupil spending in 2024 was more than $17,600. Ford's plan doesn't explain how he closes that gap. The only realistic option would be a massive tax increase.
Nevada's education establishment has long sought to increase property or sales taxes — or even impose an income tax. Ford has refused to commit to vetoing tax hikes.
For conservatives who believe government should live within its means, this matters a lot. Nevada has no income tax. That's a feature, not a bug. It's one reason families and businesses choose to live here. Ford's plan puts that at risk.
Lombardo's Record vs. Ford's Buzzwords
The Review-Journal notes that Ford:
“makes up for his lack of substance with buzzwords and catchphrases.”
His plan pledges to “future-proof Nevada education” and “expand mental health access.”
Meanwhile, Governor Lombardo has been producing actual results. Nevada schools have seen gains in the 2024-2025 school year, with an 11% reduction in one-star schools and a doubling of five-star elementary schools in Washoe County.
Charter schools are performing well, especially in underserved communities. The 2025 Legislature also passed reforms that put more money into teacher pay and classroom accountability.
That's what reform looks like. Not slogans. Results.
What Conservatives Should Do
This race is competitive. The Cook Political Report lists the 2026 Nevada governor's race as a toss-up. That means every vote matters.
If you believe parents — not bureaucrats — should control where their kids go to school, Lombardo is your candidate. If you believe Nevada families shouldn't be hit with a new income tax to fund a failed spending model, Lombardo is your candidate.
Talk to your neighbors. Share the numbers. Show them that throwing more money at a broken system doesn't fix it. Real reform means choices, competition, and accountability — not blank checks.
Ford's plan is a recycled idea dressed up in fresh language. Nevada kids deserve better than that.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
