Clark County teachers voting this week on strike next school year

Clark County teachers are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike next school year following a massive rally sponsored by the Clark County Education Association calling for proper funding for public schools.

Such a strike would be illegal under Nevada law, and the union could face fines up to $50,000 per day if educators walked off the job.

The vote is part of a concerted public push by the education community for adequate education funding as members anxiously await the unveiling of a new state funding formula to change the way money is distributed to schools. With roughly four weeks left in the session, legislators have not yet publicly unveiled such a bill.

Meanwhile, the Clark County School District says it cannot fund 3-percent employee raises even with the extra money Gov. Steve Sisolak has provided in the budget for that. Instead, the district has presented a balanced budget — using that money to cover other rising costs — without raises incorporated.

The district says it would need between $110 million to $120 million more to pay such raises.

The union sent an email last week letting its members know that it would hold a vote on whether to authorize a strike at the beginning of next school year.

In the union’s own polls, the majority of teachers said they would support taking some sort of action to ensure adequate funding — including going on strike, according to the union. A majority of members of the public who responded also said they’d support a teachers’ strike, the union has said.

The union has also expressed concern that the district may have to make significant cuts if it does not get the funding it needs.

“What does that mean for an educator?” John Vellardita, executive director of the union, said last week in a podcast intended for members. “It means that they’re going to have larger class sizes, they’re going to have less resources.”

The union has frequently referenced recent teacher strikes across the country, many of which led to pay increases or other improvements.

And Vellardita said on the podcast that district officials in Clark County would have little recourse if they walked out to back up their demands.

“Although it’s prohibited, what is the district going to do?” he said. “I mean, they’re going to get rid of people and replace them with who?”

Contact Amelia Pak-Harvey at apak-harvey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4630. Follow @AmeliaPakHarvey on Twitter.