An emergency regulation shields school funding for 120 days after more than 10,000 students disappeared from district rolls, leaving lawmakers to decide what happens next.
What Happened
On Friday, September 25, Governor Joe Lombardo signed off on an emergency regulation from the Nevada Department of Education. Today he held a press conference about it at Wasden Elementary School in Las Vegas.
Nevada pays schools based on how many students they have. More kids means more money. Fewer kids means less money.
But this year, a lot of kids did not show up. The Clark County School District is down more than 10,000 students compared to the previous year. District planners had projected a decline of about 5,700.
That drop added up to more than $100 million in lost state funding. Earlier this month, the district said it needed to cut another $51.6 million in the middle of the school year. About 360 licensed professionals, 190 support professionals, and 27 administrators were at risk of losing their positions
The new rule changes the math for now. Instead of the quarterly counts state law normally requires, the state will fund schools using the enrollment numbers lawmakers approved in the last session. The rule is limited to 120 days.
Lombardo posted on X:
“This temporary measure keeps teachers in classrooms focused on our students while we work together on long-term solutions.”
Today I joined state and local education leaders to discuss the emergency regulation taking effect to help school districts facing budget pressures. This temporary measure keeps teachers in classrooms focused on our students while we work together on long-term solutions. pic.twitter.com/PvZygvNoqD
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) September 28, 2026
What Supporters Say
Supporters say this is about kids, not politics. Losing teachers in the fall hurts students. Children lose teachers they know. Classes get shuffled mid-year.
Clark County Superintendent Jhone Ebert agreed that budget changes are coming. But she said “the time to do that is not in the middle of the school year.”
Leaders from both parties backed the plan. They point out that the dollars were already approved by the Legislature.
Most families would agree that losing a teacher in October is a mess.
What Comes Next
The rule runs out after 120 days. Then the 2027 Legislature takes over. Minority Floor Leader Gregory Hafen, a Republican, put it plainly:
“This emergency action provides needed stability, but it is not a long-term solution.”
The big fight will be over the permanent fix. Some will want to shield districts from any drop in funding. Others will want money to keep following students, with a smoother phase-in so schools can plan ahead.
What You Can Do
First, ask where the kids went. If families are choosing other options, lawmakers need to hear that parents are voting with their feet.
Second, call or email your state senator and Assembly member. Ask them to protect the “money follows the child” idea in any long-term fix. Ask for a clear public price tag on this emergency rule.
Third, show up. School board meetings and legislative hearings are open to you. A few calm, informed voices can make a real difference.
Stability for kids matters. So does honesty with taxpayers. Nevada can have both.
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.
