Imagine being a teacher doing the same job as your peers – helping kids learn, putting in long hours – but being told you don’t deserve the same pay.
That’s exactly what’s happening to public charter school teachers in Nevada, and Governor Joe Lombardo has had enough.
Earlier this week, Democrat lawmakers in Carson City quietly stripped out pay raises for charter school teachers from the state’s education budget.
That move didn’t sit well with the governor, who immediately drew a line in the sand.
“I’ve been clear and consistent on this,” Lombardo said. “I will not sign an education budget that does not include equal pay for public charter school teachers.
“I will veto any education budget bill that falls short of addressing a serious need for accountability, transparency, and real parental choice,” he continued.
Let’s break that down.
At a time when Nevada is pouring record funding into education – an extra $2 billion just last year – Democrats are now picking winners and losers based on school type.
That’s not fair to teachers, and it’s definitely not fair to the families who choose charter schools for a better fit for their children.
What’s Really Going On?
It’s simple: Some lawmakers are playing politics with education.
By leaving charter teachers out of the pay raise plan, they’re sending a message that not all teachers matter equally – only those in traditional union-backed public schools do.
Charter schools are public schools.
Parents choose them. Kids succeed in them.
But now Democrats in the Legislature are blocking efforts to treat their teachers with the same respect and pay as everyone else.
That’s why Governor Lombardo is introducing the Nevada Accountability in Education Act – a common-sense plan that puts students first, rewards great teachers, and gives parents more control over their kids’ education.
What’s In Lombardo’s Education Plan?
If you’re a parent, teacher, or just a taxpayer frustrated by years of poor results despite big spending, here’s what the governor is proposing:
- Equal Pay for Charter Teachers: No more two-tier pay system. Good teachers deserve good pay – no matter what kind of public school they teach in.
- Bonuses for Excellence: Schools and teachers who show real results will get rewarded through the new Excellence in Education Account – paid for with surplus dollars, not tax hikes.
- Parental Choice: If your neighborhood school is failing your child, Lombardo’s plan helps you transfer to a better school – even offering transportation support. That includes charter options.
- Accountability at Every Level: From school boards down to classrooms, the plan enforces real consequences for failure. No more hiding behind red tape.
- Focus on Reading: Lombardo wants every elementary teacher trained in the Science of Reading – a proven method to boost literacy. That’s key in a state where too many – 70 percent – of Nevada third graders still can’t read at grade level.
- Legal Protection for Teachers: If a teacher steps in to stop a fight, they shouldn’t have to worry about lawsuits. The governor’s plan gives them the protection they need to keep classrooms safe.
And here’s something every taxpayer should cheer: a new program to cut waste and duplication in school reporting. More teaching, less paperwork.
The Bigger Picture
Governor Lombardo is fighting for a system where every student – no matter their ZIP code – can get a quality education.
But he’s up against a Legislature more interested in pleasing special interests than fixing what’s broken.
We’re seeing it right now: Democrat lawmakers are willing to risk the entire education budget just to block pay raises for teachers working at charter schools.
That’s not leadership – it’s political spite and divide.
To be fair, critics argue that charter schools don’t always play by the same rules and that public money shouldn’t go to schools that aren’t under direct district control.
But here’s the truth: charter schools are accountable, and they answer directly to the families who choose them. If they don’t perform, families walk and they are shut down.
Two cities have recently chosen to become charter school authortizers – in efforts to be more responsive to their communities and constituents – and are helping increase access for all students to a quality education.
That’s real accountability.
Why It Matters
Nevada’s education system has been struggling for years.
Test scores are low, and too many graduates aren’t ready for college or careers. It’s not because we aren’t spending enough – it’s because the system isn’t working.
Governor Lombardo gets that. He’s pushing reforms that actually put kids and teachers first.
And now he’s standing up to lawmakers who want to play political games instead.
Whether your child is in a neighborhood school, a charter, or you’re just tired of hearing about failing test scores despite higher taxes, this is a fight worth paying attention to.
Governor Lombardo’s message is clear: Treat all teachers fairly, give all families choices, and hold everyone accountable.
If Democrats want to block that, they’ll have to explain to Nevada parents why their politics matter more than their kids’ future.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
