Las Vegas, NV: SPED costs up; enrollment down

Aug 17, 2026, NBC3, Las Vegas: CCSD seeks more special education funding, changes to state school budgeting process

The nation's fifth-largest school district plans to ask Nevada lawmakers for more funding for special education in local schools as the state heads into the legislative session in February.

"We want every child to have access to a free and appropriate education, and in order to do that, we need adequate funding," said parent and special education advocate Anna Marie Binder.

Binder wears many hats in the community as a parent and special education advocate.

She says special education funding from the Legislature is key to meeting each student's needs. . . .

The bill could also ask for more money to offset the additional demand on the Pupil-Centered Funding Plan to cover special education weighted funding.

"We have to provide the services that are identified within the individualized education plan, regardless of whether or not the Clark County School District receives money for that. Whether that's through the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or statewide funding, we still have to provide that," said CCSD Chief Financial Officer Justin Dayhoff.

Dayhoff says the district currently transfers about $176 million out of the general fund and into the district's special education funding to meet requirements.

"This would give us the opportunity to adjust and see that right size within state law," said Dayhoff.

So, what specifically are they asking for?

"It comes out to more than 480 million dollars over the biennium," said Nic Ciccone, CCSD executive director of government relations.

That's nearly half a billion dollars over two years, something Binder argues is necessary. . . .

"These are not just dollars that we don't know. These aren't a wish list. So, by providing these extra funds in the form of special education funding that's a direct relief on the general fund. And that's a direct relief back into the classroom for our teachers, for instruction, for for kids, for families," said Dayhoff. .

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Over the last few years, school budgets have been impacted by lower student enrollment. . . .

But over the last few years, districts throughout Nevada and around the country have seen enrollment declines, including CCSD.

On Thursday, the CCSD Board of Trustees voted in favor of putting a bill draft forward to present to Nevada lawmakers ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

The bill draft would explore moving away from the quarterly system and possibly basing per-pupil funding on the prior year's Oct. 1 enrollment count. . . .