As the legislative session approaches in Nevada, state Democrats are pushing for another massive increase in education spending. Just 18 months after a historic $2 billion boost for public schools, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro has called for an additional $500 million.
The focus this time is on creating universal pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) programs, a move that’s catching the attention of both supporters and critics.
Cannizzaro, a Democrat who has long championed education funding, says the proposal is part of a larger plan to improve student outcomes, hire and keep good teachers, and give parents more confidence in the public school system. She even promised that the new funding would bring benefits for years to come, particularly for families struggling with child-care costs.
But the question on many conservative minds is this:
Will spending more money actually solve the problems in Nevada’s schools? After all, the state already spends more than ever on education, yet student performance continues to stagnate.
The Problem with More Spending
This latest proposal is not just about Pre-K.
It includes pay raises for teachers and a potential restructuring of the Clark County School District, including its school board. Cannizzaro says these changes are necessary to improve education, but critics argue that the state has been pouring money into education for years with little to show for it.
In fact, Nevada’s public schools face some of the worst academic performance in the nation. For example, the state’s high school juniors posted the lowest ACT scores in the country. And while lawmakers push for more funding, student test scores continue to stagnate.
Many parents and taxpayers are frustrated. They’ve already seen their taxes go up to fund these schools, but the results don’t reflect that increased investment.
As the Cato Institute pointed out in a 2022 report, promises of big returns from universal preschool programs are often exaggerated. The review found that while these programs might show some short-term benefits, long-term effects are rarely seen.
A key example is the federal Head Start program, which has been operating for decades. Despite spending over $7 billion a year at its peak and now more than $10 billion annually, studies have shown little to no lasting impact on student outcomes beyond third grade.
The fact that Nevada is pushing for another round of education spending raises some serious concerns. Is this really the best way to improve the state’s schools? Or are we simply throwing money at a problem without addressing its root causes?
What’s Behind the Push for Pre-K?
Proponents of universal Pre-K argue that early education gives children a head start and sets them up for success later in life.
Erica Neely, a former GOP Nevada Assembly candidate with a background in early education, supports the idea of helping families, especially if the goal is to make sure children can read by age six or first grade.
Neely told Nevada News and Views:
“Not too long ago, that was the standard of American achievement. Pre-K could give kids the foundation they need to succeed.”
However, Neely also points out the potential dangers of such programs. She has seen firsthand the wasteful spending in early education programs like Head Start, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neely explains:
“I bring a unique perspective as a former Head Start policy member. I’ve witnessed firsthand the wasteful spending within such programs. For example, during COVID, millions of dollars were spent while no children were in the building, which raised serious concerns about accountability and resource allocation.
“I want to ensure that this initiative doesn’t lead to increased wasteful spending, unnecessary expansion of bureaucracy, or being used as justification for foreign hires.”
Plus, there’s a real risk that universal Pre-K could crowd out programs that give families more choice and flexibility.
In a statement, Neely wrote:
“Additionally, universal Pre-K should not come at the expense of programs like Opportunity Scholarships, which give families real choice and flexibility. It also seems ironic to push for universal Pre-K now after defunding scholarships that benefited the same middle-class and low-income families they claim to want to help.”
Republican Nevada State Senator Jeff Stone also highlights the state’s Opportunity Scholarships, calling them a “great program” that Democrat lawmakers have blocked the funding for, telling NN&V:
“This great program gave funding to students attending poorly performing schools to go to other better performing public schools. While this applies to low-income families, the Democrats chose to kill the funding of the program hurting many students from low-income families wanting a better education for their children. “
A Call for Accountability and Reform
While there are certainly good intentions behind the push for universal Pre-K, conservatives argue that the key to improving Nevada’s education system is not just more money, but real reforms that hold schools and teachers accountable for results.
Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, has been clear that increased funding must come with real accountability. He’s called for higher standards for schools, teachers, and students, as well as more choices for parents, including private school options and charter schools.
If the Democrats continue to refuse to implement reforms, Lombardo has previously said he will use his veto power to block any budget proposals that don’t include those reforms.
While not against the idea of Universal Pre-K, Senator Stone tells NN&V that our education system faces challenges in delivering it any time soon, saying:
“Our public schools rank near the worst in the Country. We need to fix this problem before expanding our underperforming public schools. “
If conservatives want to see real changes in Nevada’s schools, they will need to keep pushing for transparency, accountability, and choice. It’s not just about spending more money; it’s about ensuring that every dollar spent actually helps students succeed.
In a statement, Senator Stone emphasized that accountability in education has been a key focus, saying:
“The legislature allocated more funding to education last session than ever before in Nevada’s history. Governor Lombardo made it clear in his last ‘State of the State’ address that he was committed to significantly increasing public school funding—and he did—ensuring that money could never be blamed for our schools’ poor performance.
If funding didn’t make a difference, he pledged to seek an overhaul of the public school system. I look forward to his 2025 ‘State of the State’ address to hear a progress report on the state’s significant previous investment in public education.”
Parents deserve better than a system that keeps asking for more money without showing results.
Moving Forward
As the 2025 legislative session approaches, Nevada conservatives have an important opportunity to stand up for meaningful reforms in education.
Senator Stone’s priorities for the 2025 budget focus on first adequately funding public education, expanding charter schools, and restoring Opportunity Scholarships for low-income families.
As for universal Pre-K, the debate is far from over.
Senator Stone views Universal Pre-K as future goal—but only after studying and addressing capacity and funding concerns, and making good on the promise from both him and Governor Lombardo to oppose any new or increased taxes.
While it may be a popular proposal with some parents, it’s clear that the potential for waste and inefficiency remains a real concern. Conservatives will need to keep asking tough questions and pushing for reforms that actually improve outcomes for students—not just increase spending for the sake of it.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
