Clark County Teachers Union Votes to Authorize Strike

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Clark County Educators Association announced Sunday, May 12, that its members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike for the 2019-2020 school year.þþThe strike will take place if the Clark County School District “carries out threats of budget cuts due to lack of funding from the State during the current Legislative Session,” according to a release.þþThe vote, which took place over the last five days, included over 5,000 teachers who decided by a 78 percent margin to authorize the strike.þþThis action is in response to CCSD’s public statements saying that it will be forced to make budget cuts, including the elimination of 1,500 positions, if Nevada lawmakers don’t give the district adequate funding.þþThe threat of a strike is meant to put pressure on the Legislature in the last three weeks of this session to come up with a budget that properly funds education.þþPresident of CCEA Vikki Courtney released the following statement:þþWe are hopeful that the Governor and Democrats and Republicans will work to ensure our students and educators receive the adequate funding we need in our schools now. Educators are at the tipping point and will not start another school year with larger class sizes, fewer resources, and another salary freeze. If funds reach our schools and educators, there will be no strike. If not, then we will be forced to strike until those funds are secured.þEducators want the funding for more teacher and student resources, to reduce class sizes and provide the promised salary increase for Clark County teachers.þþClark County School District Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara released the following statement regarding the strike:þþAbout 4,000 of our teachers have indicated they like to strike next school year. While this vote might not tell us how the majority of our 18,000 teachers feel, it does demonstrate the frustration now with the lack of funding for education in Nevada. I stand with our teachers, support professionals and administrators in advocating for additional funding for education, but as superintendent, I have an obligation to provide 180 days of instruction to ur 321,000 students and comply with Nevada law. Teacher strikes are illegal in Nevada because educators provide an essential service to our students. I will take necessary legal action to prevent an illegal strike while continuing to advocate in the final days of the legislative session to improve teaching and learning conditions.þThe strike will last, according to CCEA, until funding is secured for students and teachers.