CCSD getting majority of funding for student aid

The state of Nevada is delivering an extra $34.2 million to help poor students in Clark County or those learning English stay on track academically.

The amount of funding was announced during the state Board of Education meeting Thursday. To the dismay of some school districts, Clark County students will be the beneficiaries of all but $1.8 million of the $36 million allocated by the Legislature this session.

The money can be used by schools on programs and services specifically targeting two categories of students determined to be in need of more help to perform on the same level as their peers. That type of funding is known as a weighted-funding formula.

The money will benefit 30,000 students statewide who meet three criteria:

■ They score in the bottom 25 percent on state standardized tests.

■ They qualify for free or reduced lunch under federal guidelines or are defined as English language learners.

■ They attend a school that is not already receiving Victory or Zoom funds for underperforming schools.

“This is a big transition for us,” state Superintendent Steve Canavero said of the funding boost. “We made three or four steps forward.”

The money, which works out to $1,200 per student, will cover all qualifying students in the lowest two tiers on the state’s five-level school performance scale and some in the third.

A previous law created a “weight” — or funding boost — for special education students. The state has not yet fully funded that, but this law was seen as a step toward that goal.

Clark County officials were anxious to put the funds to work.

“This means a lot. Clearly, we’re excited,” said Nicole Rourke, the