The Committee on Education is discussing Assembly Bill 533 on Tuesday, April 1, at their scheduled meeting in Carson City. The bill aims to give Nevada families more freedom in choosing their kids’ schools.
What’s This Bill All About?
AB 533, introduced by the Committee on Education, would let students attend public schools outside their assigned zones. It’s all about putting parents in the driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education.
Under the proposed law, kids could transfer to any public school that has room for them. No more being stuck at a school just because of your address.
This bill aligns with Governor Joe Lombardo’s vision for education in Nevada. During his State of the State address, Lombardo emphasized that “Traditional public schools are not – and should not – be the only option,” highlighting his commitment to expanding educational choices for Nevada families.
Understanding the Capacity Limits
Here’s how it would work: each school district’s Board of Trustees would need to establish specific caps on how many students they can accept per grade level.
For example, if your neighborhood elementary school sets a limit of 25 kids for second grade and they already have 25 enrolled, they’d be “at capacity” and couldn’t accept transfer students for that grade.
If more kids want to transfer into a school than there are spots available, the district could use a lottery system to keep things fair.
Importantly, the bill prohibits schools from considering factors like academic ability, artistic or athletic talents, disabilities, English learner status, or even a student’s address when evaluating transfer applications. The only exception is for students who have been suspended for 10 or more days or expelled in the current or previous school year.
The application process would be standardized across the state, with the Superintendent of Public Instruction establishing clear deadlines and procedures. Parents would even have the right to appeal if their transfer request gets denied – first to the district superintendent, and if necessary, to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Why This Matters to Conservative Families
This bill is a breath of fresh air for folks who believe in limited government. It takes power away from bureaucrats and gives it back to parents who know what’s best for their kids.
Think about it – why should a government official who’s never met your child decide where they have to go to school? This bill puts that decision back in your hands where it belongs.
What Critics Are Saying
Not everyone’s a fan of this approach. Some folks worry that popular schools will get swamped with applications while struggling schools lose students and funding.
The teachers’ unions suggest we should focus on improving all schools rather than letting students transfer out of underperforming ones. They argue that school choice could create a two-tiered education system.
Another sticking point: the bill specifically allows school districts to opt out of providing bus transportation for transfer students. This could make the choice less realistic for families without reliable transportation.
Looking Ahead
If passed, the bill wouldn’t take effect until July 2026. This gives school districts plenty of time to prepare for the changes and establish their capacity limits.
Nevada would join several other states that have already implemented similar school choice programs with positive results. Studies from these states show that when parents have more options, satisfaction rates go up and students often perform better.
What You Can Do
If you support school choice in Nevada, here are specific actions you can take to help get AB 533 passed:
- Attend the public hearing on Tuesday, April 1, at the Legislative Building in Carson City. The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m., and public comment is welcome in person, by phone, or in writing. To provide testimony by phone, call (888) 475-4499 and use Meeting ID 85661762065.
- Submit written testimony to the committee by emailing AsmED@asm.state.nv.us. Make sure to send your comments at least 24 hours before the meeting.
- Contact members of the Assembly Education Committee directly. Call their offices or send personal emails explaining why this bill matters to your family.
- Organize with like-minded parents in your community. The Nevada School Choice Coalition and similar groups are mobilizing supporters across the state.
This bill represents a chance to put Nevada families back in control of education decisions. After all, nobody knows what a child needs better than their own parents.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
