Governor Lombardo Requests Legislative Commission Audit into Clark County School District Budget

Last night, Governor Joe Lombardo wrote to Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro to request that the Legislative Commission amends its audit of Clark County School District (CCSD) to include an investigation of its budget shortfalls.

Passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Lombardo last session, Assembly Bill 517 required the Audit Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau to conduct an audit of certain school districts, including CCSD. Though CCSD’s current budget issues are outside the scope of the original inquiry, the Legislative Commission can amend the scope of the ongoing audit, so that the audit now includes an investigation into CCSD’s current budget.

“We are concerned with reports that CCSD’s current budget issues will potentially result in the release or elimination of teachers and other staff positions. Given last session’s unprecedented increase in funding for education, such a scenario would be unacceptable,” writes Governor Joe Lombardo. “As we continue to consider actions to address CCSD’s immediate budget issues, I’m officially requesting the Legislative Commission consider amending the scope of the ongoing audit to include an investigation of the recently identified potential budget shortfalls, so that we can identify ways to address these issues in the long-term.”

The complete letter is attached.

This letter follows Superintendent Jhone Ebert’s letter to CCSD demanding accountability and updated budget information. In her letter, Superintendent Ebert demands a response from CCSD no later than Thursday, October 3, 2024.

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