By Andrew Doughman, Nevada News Bureau: Gov. Brian Sandoval’s staff today clarified that the proposed five percent salary reductions announced yesterday includes teachers and higher-education employees.
Slashing salaries saves the state $592 million over two years when taking into account continued longevity and merit pay suspensions.
Like the governor’s proposed higher-education cuts, the governor’s staff has said it will hand over a budget reflecting the salary decreases and let school districts and Board of Regents decide what to do.
“It’s going to be up to, of course, the school districts whether they want to cut the pay for all school district employees,” said Heidi Gansert, the governor’s chief of staff, during an afternoon press briefing. “We pass a law that reflects a five percent cut, but it’s up to the school districts to bargain.”
Although school districts have contractual obligations regarding pay, Gansert also said that contract negotiations are starting at both the K-12 and higher-education levels.
The governor’s staff also clarified that while contribution rates to the Public Employee Retirement System are set to increase,the rates will be applied against the lower salary.
Audio Clip: 011311Gansert :13 of staff too.”
