CARSON CITY (AP) - A plan to create a scholarship program and a series of bonuses to tackle Nevada's severe teacher shortage has passed its first hurdle.
The full Senate held a special committee meeting Wednesday and approved SB511, a $15 million measure introduced last week by Gov. Brian Sandoval.
The bill creates the Teach Nevada Scholarship program that could serve more than 200 future teachers over the next two years.
It also proposes $5,000 bonuses for 2,000 new teachers over the next two years. The incentive program aims to fill teaching positions in at-risk schools.
Clark County School District alone is trying to hire about 2,600 new teachers for next school year. State officials said they fear the teacher shortage could sabotage the ambitious education initiatives Sandoval has proposed for at-risk students.