Accomplishments

2004 was very much an organizational year for NQE. The founders made pivotal decisions regarding the structure and function of the organization. Bylaws were created and the decision to take on a business model was solidified when the corporate charter entered into record March 18, 2004. Work soon began compiling information and financial projections in order to file for non profit status with the Internal Revenue Service. NQE was granted 501 (c) (4) status effective March 18, 2004.

While structuring the organization, NQE took on many issues that directly involved students and closely monitored others. The board of directors attended weekly meetings, clinics and conferences learning and sharing information. NQE spent a great deal of time on State assessment and accountability, CCSD discipline policies and political endorsements.

2005 NQE board members developed a legislative platform, registered as non-paid lobbyists, supported bills that were in tune with the legislative platform and made many trips to Carson City to actively participate.

Great strides were made in giving the community a voice in the legislative process through our "Legislative Alert Email System". As legislators were making decisions in Carson City, NQE kept members and the community informed through "Legislative Alert Email". Those receiving alerts from north to south stepped up and communicated their thoughts through phone calls and email to the Legislature. The voice of the silent majority was heard and education made gains because of their action. Thanks to all of you!

If you would like to be added to the Legislative Alert Email System please send your name,
mailing address, phone number and email address to:
legalert@nevadansforqualityeducation.org

2006 NQE Opposes TASC for Nevada
NQE joined the Nevada State Education Association, Nevada AFL-CIO and Nevada Alliance of Retired Americans in a lawsuit to stop the circulation of a Tax and Spending Control (TASC) petition promoted by gubernatorial candidate, Bob Beers, to be placed on the November ballot. Beers’ proposal locks severe limits into our state constitution on state and local spending for public services that could lead to harmful reductions in “vital services” such as education, fire and police protection, healthcare and transportation. NQE believes the proposal is a clear step in the wrong direction for our schools. Our education system needs help, and this measure would prevent the opportunity to adequately fund education in Nevada.

NQE Board Members Traveling The State
Presentations were made in Reno to the Nevada Association of School Superintendents (NASS) and The Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB) in an effort to open communication and connect communities across the state.

The trustees and superintendents have since been working with NQE to improve education and raise community commitment to education.

The NQE board also had the opportunity to meet with superintendents from Elko County, Carson City, Douglas County, Washoe County and Nye County. Much was learned about the achievements and needs of each district.

Interim Legislative Issues
While the Legislature is not officially in session, much work is still being done through interim committees. NQE board members continued dialogue with legislators, attended interim committee hearings and provided testimony regarding the Adequacy Funding Study (ACR10).

ACR10
While some of the public was surprised to learn that the firm Augenblick, Palaich and Assoc, Inc. found education to be under funded by 1.3 billion dollars, NQE was not surprised in the least. Those of us involved in education at the school level are well aware of the gross funding shortages that affect our children.

Senator Mike Schneider has submitted Bill Draft Request (BDR) # 34 for the 2007 Legislative Session. The BDR requires the amount of money expended per pupil to meet or exceed the national average. Should this legislation pass, the cost will be approximately 1.6 billion dollars.

NQE is in support of legislation that raises the per pupil expenditure and believes that we can get there without raising taxes to do so.

Reno Parental Summit Meeting
NQE board members attended the summit held in Reno. The meeting was sponsored by Nevada PTA and the Nevada Department of Education. This was the first state-wide meeting regarding parental involvement. The meeting was well attended by parents, administrators, trustees and legislators.

2007 The NQE board of directors spent much of 2007 testifying before Interim Legislative Committees and during the 74th Legislative Session. The legislative alert system kept the people of Nevada connected and up to date allowing them to actively participate.

Several trips were made to Carson City, Reno, Pahrump and Douglas Counties visiting schools, making presentations and testifying before legislative committees. Traveling the state in order to learn the intricacies of all 17 Nevada school districts is very important to the Board of Directors. We hope to visit the rest of the state between sessions.

NQE was the primary sponsor of Improve Education Week in Carson City. An education rally was held in the capitol mall March 12, 2007 where over 200 people gathered in support of education. NQE President, Donna Hoffman-Anspach was the master of ceremonies. Also represented were the Nevada Women’s Lobby, Nevada PTA and The American Association of University Women. Assemblywomen Parnell and Smith also addressed the group highlighting key education legislation occurring that week.

Mary Jo Parise-Malloy appeared several times on Face to Face with Jon Ralston and KNPR discussing empowerment schools, teacher shortage, the legislative session, the Education First Initiative and the budget crisis.

2008 The year of devastating budget cuts to K-12 education
General fund revenues in Nevada were less than what was projected when the legislature and Governor enacted the budget for the 2007/08 biennium. Much of the state’s revenue
is derived from tourism which is greatly impacted by upturns and downturns in the economy here in Nevada and throughout the country. Nevada is in dire need of a stable funding base to protect the well being of its residents and their quality of life.

In order to balance the budget, Governor Gibbons proposed cuts to government agencies exempting K-12 education, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety.

On December 14, 2007, the “Education First Governor” went back on his word and notified the 17 school district superintendents to prepare a list of budget reductions equaling 4.5%. He also included a list of what he thought should be cut from K-12.

(Please click on links below)

On Thursday, January 24, 2008, the Nevada Department of Education sent a communication to the Nevada superintendents advising them to cut all the one shot funding for. programs including full day-K, empowerment, SB185 grant dollars, career and technical program increases, gifted & talented, magnet program for deaf and hard of hearing, performance pay pilot program and utility shortfall were all unfunded totaling a loss of $63,888,292. On Friday, May 23rd, the Interim Finance Committee held an emergency meeting to approve an additional 4.5% in reductions equaling $92,700,000.

The Governor called the legislature into special session which began on June 27, 2008, at 10:00 am and adjourned sine die on June 27, 2008, at 10:22 pm. NQE was present in Carson City for the duration of the special session. We did all we could to save dollars going to education but more powerful lobbyists were able to turn the tables in their favor resulting in a $130 million loss of revenue for the state. Consequently, education and other agencies shouldered the burden of deeper cuts. During the special session, school districts in Nevada lost $48 million in textbook and supply funding and 3.3% reductions to the total budget.

The Governor’s budget director, Andrew Clinger, has recently requested agencies to prepare a list of additional cuts totaling 14.12% for 2010 & 2011.

What Did NQE Do To Protect K-12 Education?
NQE met with legislators, school districts and education agencies in an effort to find remedies in order to avoid loss of revenue. We kept our membership and supporters around the state informed of the issue and enlisted them in the effort to protect K-12.

Candlelight Vigils In Support Of K-12 Education

The NQE Board of Directors hosted 4 simultaneous candlelight vigils on December 19, 2007 in protest of the Governor’s proposed cuts of 4.5% to K-12 education. These cuts will have a devastating impact on our students and teachers. Every school district in Nevada will endure exploding class sizes, supply shortages, and the elimination of tutoring and ancillary programs.

The theme was: The Governor is Burying Education
The vigils were held at several locations in northern and southern Nevada.

The locations were:
Las Vegas: Bonanza High School & Greenspun Jr. High
Reno: Swope Middle School
Carson City: Steps of the Legislative Building
Over 300 people from communities across Nevada turned out in support of our students and in protest of the reductions. Extensive media coverage brought the issue into the homes of those unaware and or unable to participate.

Town Hall Meeting

Over 130 attended the meeting held at Spring Valley High School on January 16, 2008.

Jon Ralston of Face to Face donated his time and expertise to moderate the extremely informative and sometimes lively discussion. Jeremy Aguero with Applied Analysis, Speaker Buckley, Lisa Mayo-DeRiso of Mayo and Associates, Assemblywoman Debbie Smith and CCSD Board Trustee Sheila Moulton presented information regarding education funding, the budget cuts and the impact they will have on our students and society. All panelists donated their time to the event. The public had the chance to share their thoughts, concerns and ask questions.
NQE thanks all of those who participated.

To see the invitation to the Town Hall meeting sent to Governor Gibbons,

please click on the link below:

Rallies, Press Conferences and Media Appearances

The NQE Board of Directors organized and participated in a number of rallies and press conferences. We joined coalitions with other agencies affected by budget reductions to raise awareness and promote a grass roots effort to make positive change. Board members made appearances on local programs to inform the public encouraging them to participate.

While working through this period of budget reductions, the NQE board continued to work directly with schools and students throughout Nevada. We maintain to improve issues surrounding student achievement and success, NCLB, the State CRT, drop out/graduation rate, school climate, teacher quality/shortages and pay for performance.

Budget reductions are not new to K-12 education. Our efforts will persist in making greater strides for our students with fewer resources.