The scenario for budget reductions in the forthcoming fiscal year of 2009 poses serious dangers for education in Nevada. How much longer can we afford to have our entire education system teeter on the brink of financial collapse? If education of our youth is indeed as important to our culture and future welfare as most of us believe then we, through our elected officials, must establish education as an absolute financial priority.

Our governor has insisted on his hard nosed policy of refusing to raise taxes on the gaming industry. While gaming revenues in this state may be down the majority of these establishments are not experiencing losses that will force closure or bankruptcy. They are still making plenty of profit but at a reduced level; the only real consequence is that some have had to cancel or postpone expanding their elaborate empires in other states or foreign states.

It is now time for the governor and legislature to pony up to the fact that these fat cat establishments have been given a generous tax ride in this state. They have reaped tremendous profits in the past allowing them to invest in other states and to build lavish, grandiose establishments in foreign countries; they have continually cried poor mouth here in Nevada while our schools have drifted to near the bottom of all states in terms of financial support for education.

While eliminating waste in education is imperative it is of greater importance to raise the overall level of state financial support for all levels of education in Nevada.

My family has been loyal GMC product buyers since the early 50's. Last year I took my GMC SUV to the local dealer for a problem. The service agent did not listen to my complaint but made a cursory inspection of everything from windshield wipers to hub caps expect the fact that there was a suspicious oil leak near the front end of the car. He insisted that that this might be a major problem without ever looking to see if, what or where the problem was.

It was at that point that I decided I had had enough and went directly to another dealer and bought a Japanese SUV product. I have been very satisified with the product, the service and care that agency showed me.

I frankly believe GMC deserves to go broke...they deserve IT, they have earned it, they need to experience it.
They shafted me for the last time. I hope their indifference, poor service, poor quality products go to HELL.

It was ineresting to read the specifics that paraents wanted the school distict to emphasize in saving programs: athletics, extra-curricular activities, busing. These appear to be the priorities that the public is most interested in.

Few mentioned saving teacher preparation periods or teaching positions. Few were that strong in emphasizing the need to first eliminte the top heavy central office administration.

Maybe it is time to turn all of our schools into big recreation camps...sports, and fun and games all day long. Forget the books, teachers and all that serious study stuff! Hire coaches and recreation directors not teachers and principals.

Parents really don't want to burden their brains with having to worry about helping with homework...it is much more fun to help junior learn to bat, pass a football, or dribble a basketball. Junior miss needs to know how to twirle a baton, learn to dance the latest teen craze, socialize with her friends than worry about her academic achievement.

It's America folks! Sports, fun and games, TV, and recreation is more important than all that serious learnin' stuff... Let's get real America is a service nation, not an industrial nation any longer. We no longer are world leaders in science and technology...that is gone...it now belongs to Japan, China, India. We can't educate our own students well enough for them to be leaders in science, math, technology, medicine and computers so we simply import them from other countries.

In this country we only produce babies and hamburgers and we are doing a lousy job in both categories. Education matters not to Americans. The NFL, NBA and MLB are most important to the lives of our children...

Once again the school district is providing a smoke screen plan to the public as it tries to find ways to save monies in its budget. There is still a staunch reluctance to reduce the overall top heavy administrative positions in this district. A solid cut of 40-50% of all administrative positions can greatly reduce expense. There are thousands of support administrators, supervisors, consultants, specialists, etc wandering the halls of the district and local schools. These positions need to be eliminated first, then consider cuts to lowly benefits of teachers.

For too long teachers have been the brunt of budget cuts in this district. Textbooks, supplies, and soon it will be their prep periods to be sacrified.

While teachers are the target for impending budget cuts; the district under Walt Rulffes continues to hire superflous positions in the administrtive ranks even during this most critical budget crisis. It does not make sense ! The district must post all administrative positions, their salaries, and the stated function of all positions for immediate public scrutiny. The district phone directory has over 50 pages listing all administrative positions...it is ludicrous!

The public needs to demand a drastic cut in the administration first, then consider programs, books, paper supplies and teacher positions!

Maybe it is time for the district to consider selling off its Palace of the Kings of luxury office facilities on Sahara Avenue to save money. With appropriate reduction in adminsitrative staffing this building would not be needed.

It's time for the district to demonstrate it can tighten its budget belt without sacrificing programs for students.
It should always be: Students First!

At least now with a Democratic president and congress our children will no longer face the prospect of be subjected to radical right wing religous fatulance such as fanatical Creation Science in our schools.

We now stand a chance of returning science to its proper role in our society.