For the last several years, NSEA has sounded the alarm about how educator pay has not kept up with the cost of living across Nevada. While pay has remained relatively stagnant, the cost of living has increased dramatically— driven by skyrocketing housing costs. There are now few places in the state where teachers can afford to purchase a home, and many now even struggle to afford rent.
NSEA also represents thousands of education support professionals who are critical to the operations of schools. Education support professionals usually reflect the Nevada communities they serve. About half of education support professionals across the state are people of color. Education support professionals tend to be at the bottom of district pay scales, with some support professionals making as little as $11/hour and an overwhelming majority making less than a living wage. Increases in housing costs in recent years has been a particular burden on education support professionals, with many experiencing severe housing instability and even homelessness.
This past year, NSEA has talked a great deal about the crisis in our schools with educator vacancies. While we tend to focus on relatively low pay as a cause, high housing costs are a contributing factor. SB426 would work to stabilize communities and would also help with our vacancy issue, allowing more teachers and other educators to live in the communities they serve.
