Sam King wrote on May 14, 2008 08:47 AM: DJ2 expresses very real concerns. The issue of state needs in Nevada includes education, social services and infrastructure.
These are chaotic times that can not stand on status quo or past results. Compelling needs are evident in all areas of state responsibilities. So having stated the obvious, there is need for like minded groups to provide an argument to our elected officials for more state revenue. Perhaps a corporate state income tax should be part of the solution and on the table in 2009 in the legislative session not as an initiative?

Requirements for Kids wrote on May 13, 2008 10:21 PM: I say impose college education or income requirement before even trying to pop out a baby. It is criminal to pass the cost onto others. Too many hispanics cannot afford their kiddies, just as many blacks. The Public schools then suffer. We all suffer.

DJ2 wrote on May 13, 2008 05:40 PM: If this statement is true:

Aguero expects Southern Nevada's population by 2020 will grow to 3 million, from 2 million.

I'm wondering how the infrastructure and natural resourses of this valley can sustain and support the addition of another million. That means that for aproximately every two cars on the freeway, there'll be three instead. For every two persons standing in a line, there will be three. And for every two families needing housing, there will be three.

All of the human needs of the valley will go up by 50%.

Can our valley even sustain that kind of growth? Do we even have the land for expansion, the water, the air quality, the roadways to squeeze in another 50%?

Plus, the number of individuals who are waiting for the housing recovery to kick in so they can sell and leave this valley with enough to make a fresh start in a better place, well, that number is underestimated or completely ignored.

There's an exodus pending of those working people who've had to absorb the influx of illegal workers as competition in their employment. If those middle class workers could get just compensation for their houses, they'd be out of the valley in a flash.

I'm expecting to see a drastic turnover in the composition of the Las Vegas demographics when the housing problem eases up, and the individuals moving to this valley will be of a different composition than those who are leaving.

Any projections of future population are purely speculation.

fluffy wrote on May 13, 2008 04:17 PM: 2zero for state senate!

2zero wrote on May 13, 2008 03:49 PM: Or we could stop the unsustainable growth?

Bartender Jack...lol, 40% of the students are from mexico, another 25% are not "white"; if you can do the math......?

Pass a law like Arizona and make it a criminal offense to hire and house illegals. There will be more than enough class rooms and the student to teacher ratio will improve!

bartender jack wrote on May 13, 2008 03:06 PM: how about limiting the number of children, for parents who has an average 5th grade intelligence. Since this city is 70% white, it tends to believe that its filled with dumb white people who believe they are entitled to everything. how about the parents of these kids, pretend to start parenting, and stop blaming the schools for having dumb ignorant children.

Jack wrote on May 13, 2008 01:30 PM: THS: It is not relevant to me what anyone else pays. That is why I live here because it is different here or was until we were californicated. The issue is not money, I will pay for a decent product. The issue is that they keep pumping more and more money into an unresponsive failure. Lets not quibble over the poor people paying more elsewhere when our argument is against paying more for an inferior product.

Sam King wrote on May 13, 2008 01:18 PM: Clark County School District has to prove its case to voters to earn support for the Clark County School District 2008 Bond. Voter demographics is key. Who will vote in November? In a no new tax atmosphere and an economic slow down (Recession ?) , the argument that the 2008 Bond is an extension of the successful 1998 Bond and will not raise taxes will not be enough to earn voter support. The relationship between providing an economic base for capital inprovements and quality public education must be outlined, illustrated, understood, and honest. Most Nevada residents support public education in the abstract,however when it comes to concrete taxes supporting educaton, Nevadans historically have never favored raising taxes for anything not even for education. The paper states that CCSD will have an agressive campaign starting in August-- I hope that will be enough time to prove the case to voters.
There was also mention that the bond will in part be supported by the "ROOM TAX" and the real estate transfer tax. From much of what is being written that "ROOM TAX " is being targeted by many to meet revenue expectations. Real estate transfer revenue may not be a healthy pot to draw from. The state tax structure within Nevada is fragile and 9.5 billion dollars over ten years is a major liability. I support school capital improvements and believe public education improves the qualiity of life in our community. As with any ballot question, the devil is in the details, including acountability.

LazyCynic wrote on May 13, 2008 11:16 AM: "Don't blame the School Distict. Blame the Federal Government. Short of overturning Plyler vs. Doe we have no options but to follow the law. "

Well, we the people of a sovereign state can flat out refuse the federal government's mandates. We may lose funding, but so what? What will they do...invade us? Wait...lemme rethink that...they probably WOULD invade. With flamethrowers, bombers, battle tanks, and cruisers on Lake Mead. "Educate or die!!!" would be the battle cry. One size fits all! All on the principle of educating people that shouldn't be here in the first place. Does anyone else see the lunacy in this? We're living in the most technologically advanced times ever, and making the stupidest decisions with all our collective might.

Full day kindergarten? Why don't you just give the kid to "the state" at birth and save the heartache of raising him/her yourself? They could send you monthly postcards from the education camps. Kinda like sponsoring a third-world child? It costs less than a cup of coffee!!

2 1/2 hour Kindie-Garden wrote on May 13, 2008 10:57 AM: Hey Marc,

re: What in the world is really the point of having Kindergarten for 2 1/2 hours a day?

The number 1 elementary school in the entire state of California is Faria Elementary in Cupertino California (Silicon Valley). Faria, and all the Cupertino elementary schools (all of which score 10 out of 10 on the state's API ratings and the best STAR tests in the entire state) offer just half day kindergarten.

Don't be afraid of half day kindergarten.

But you should be afraid of the overall performance of the public schools. I wouldn't, and didn't, put my daughter in public school -- pay the money & go private.

The most important decision you make is where you send your kids to school -- by virtue of doing so, you determine just who your kids will perceive their peers to be. You don't want them thinking their peers are the typical public school kid.

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