Cyndi Loza

Nevada educators are not impressed with a census report released Tuesday that ranked Nevada schools 45th in per-pupil spending, moving the state up two spots from 2005 measurements.

The 2005-06 data from the U.S. Census bureau showed the state spent $7,345 per student, ranking Nevada ahead of Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arizona, Idaho and Utah but below the national average of $9,138.

“That’s moving in the right direction, but that is relatively a nonsignificant move,” Washoe County superintendent Paul Dugan said. “If you told me we moved from 47th to 25th, that would be a little more reason for celebration.”

Despite the rise, money spent on Nevada school districts remains low, district financial officer Gary Kraemer said.

“No matter how you slice it or dice it, we’re not anywhere near what the national U.S. average is, and that’s why we struggle.” Kraemer said. “To me, it’s like being given a Yugo and asked to drive down Donner Pass, and we’re suppose to perform as everyone driving a Chevy.”

The survey showed the top states were New York, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Vermont and Connecticut which spent from $12,323 to $14,884 per student.

Educators in Storey County and Douglas County agree the new ranking is not a great accomplishment.

“I would say they’re both low regardless if it is 45 or 47,” Douglas County superintendent Carol Lark said. “You would hope to be at least at the (national) average for our students.”

Storey superintendent Robert Slaby said “with the current financial situation, we might not be able to hold on to that (rank).”

Carson City superintendent Mary Pierczynski said she worries about how Nevada will compare nationally in the future as the state faces budget cuts to K-12 education.

“It’s hard to say, after these budget cuts, where we will rank, but it’s certainly not going to help our situation,” Pierczynski said.

In December, Gov. Jim Gibbons ordered 4.5 percent cut backs to offset falling revenues.

Despite cuts to education funding, state superintendent Keith Rheault said Nevada may not fall below the 45th ranking.

“So far, because we’ve used mostly one-shot money that isn’t included in the per pupil spending, it probably won’t have an effect at least up to this point,” Rheault said. “Hopefully, we should be able to maintain our position.”

Still, Nevada’s ranking is “nothing to brag about,” Rheault said.