Lombardo Cracks Down on Clark County School District

(NN&V Staff) – Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) announced decisive action today against the Clark County School District (CCSD), requiring a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and appointing a Compliance Monitor to address the district’s non-compliance with state statutes NRS 387 and 388G. This move comes after months of concern over CCSD’s budget practices and operational transparency, which have raised questions about the district’s leadership and policies.

“Clark County students, teachers, and families deserve to have confidence in their school district,” Governor Lombardo said. “As I’ve reiterated since taking office, unprecedented funding requires unprecedented accountability, and we will not accept a lack of accountability for our school district.”

The governor’s statement echoes his bold promise from the January 2023 State of the State Address, where he pledged a historic increase in per-student funding and set high expectations for results. “When all is said and done, my budget proposes spending more than $2,000 dollars per student more next year. Along with this funding, I expect results. I won’t accept a lack of funding as an excuse for underperformance.”

State Steps In After CCSD Fails to Deliver

In response to inquiries sent to CCSD in September and October regarding its budget practices, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert noted significant concerns. “After reviewing CCSD’s responses, NDE remains concerned about the District’s leadership, policies, and processes that prevented CCSD’s local school precincts from receiving timely and accurate funding information prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year,” said Ebert.

The Notice of Non-Compliance, issued alongside the formal request for a Corrective Action Plan, underscores the gravity of the situation. The Nevada Department of Education’s appointed Compliance Monitor will ensure CCSD adheres to state-mandated standards, with detailed oversight into its operations and decision-making.

Corrective Action Plan Requirements

CCSD must take the following actions under the directive:

  • Develop a state-approved Corrective Action Plan, in coordination with the Compliance Monitor, by December 27, 2024.
  • Begin implementing the approved CAP by January 9, 2025.
  • Include the Compliance Monitor’s written reports as an agenda item at every school board meeting.
  • Permit the Compliance Monitor to attend meetings related to CCSD’s reorganization and operations.
  • Provide full access to district facilities, resources, and information while compensating the Compliance Monitor.

A Critical Test for Education Governance

This development represents a significant challenge for CCSD, the fifth-largest school district in the United States, which has long been at the center of Nevada’s education reform debates. Governor Lombardo has been unwavering in his demand for accountability, signaling that further actions could follow if improvements are not realized.

“I’ll be working with the State Superintendent to ensure our systems of accountability and transparency are robust and enforced,” Lombardo said in his 2023 address. “And if we don’t begin seeing results, I’ll be standing here in two years calling for systematic changes to the governance and leadership in K-12 education.”

The coming months will be pivotal as CCSD works to rebuild trust and comply with state directives. For students, parents, and educators, the stakes could not be higher. With historic funding now in place, Nevada is closely watching whether its largest school district can deliver the results its communities have long awaited.

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