Frequently Asked Questions regarding funds, positions and raises at CCSD
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release May 4, 2012
Contact: Amanda Fulkerson, 702-799-5304
Frequently Asked Questions
A factual look at funds, positions and raises at CCSD
Q: Does the District have $70 million in extra money it could use to balance the budget?
A: No. There is no extra money in our budget. On the contrary, the Clark County School District is struggling to fill a $64 million budget deficit. The funds we do have are accounted for. If a family has $2,000 in their bank account but has not paid their rent and bills, it's not accurate to say they have $2,000 in extra money sitting around. "The funds we do have are accounted for and are needed to cover expenses through the remainder of the school year."
Q: Why is the District posting teaching positions online?
A: CCSD is currently in "transfer season." This means our current teachers have the opportunity to view and apply for positions that are open to replace teachers who are either retiring or resigning.
FACT: Even with retirements, resignations and the elimination of specialized positions, we would not have a balanced budget due to the arbitrator’s ruling.
Q: What are the new 'learning coach' positions posted online?
A: Learning coach positions are educators who will provide specialized instructional support and assistance in mathematics and literacy. The K–5 Instructional Coach Project Facilitator position will be assigned to schools as needed by the District. These positions are fully funded by federal Title I or Title II funds and do not impact our General Fund budget.
Q: Does the District financially benefit from the additional education that teachers have pursued?
A: Because the District does not run the educational program(s) teachers use to obtain raises, the District does not make a profit from any courses teachers sign up for. The Clark County Education Association, however, does profit from teachers who further their educations taking classes with the Center for Teaching Excellence, the organization that provides courses that allow teachers to advance on the [ http://ccsd.net/employees/resources/pdf/salary_licensed_benefits.pdf ]salary scale.
Q: Why is the District traveling around the country to recruit new teachers?
A: The District is actively recruiting new teachers to fill vacancies caused by retirements or resignations in hard to fill areas such as math, science and special education. It is our responsibility to ensure the best teachers in the nation have the opportunity to compete for positions in our classrooms.
Q: Does CCSD have more teachers this year than last?
A: No. In 2010-11, CCSD had 18,010 teachers. CCSD currently has 17,555 teachers for the 2011-12 school year.
Q: I’ve been hearing that teachers haven’t had a raise in several years. Is this true?
A: No. In 2007 and 2008, teachers received a step increase. Step increases are increases given to employees for staying in the District another year. Teachers also received a four percent cost of living increase in addition to the step increase for the same 2007-2008 period. For the past four years, from 2007-2011, teachers also received yearly increases for furthering their own education. Those increases were given in addition to the cost of living and step increases.
View the new Inside Education segment, The Bottom Line, [ http://www.ccsd.net/district/news/general/2012/may/4/bottom-line-addresses-arbitration-issue ]here. This week's segment tackles these tough topics and more.
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Office of the Superintendent – Communications Office – 5100 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas NV 89146
