LAS VEGAS -- Clark County School District leaders are making changes to the curriculum in an effort to improve student performance and graduation rates.
Although graduation rates have improved over the past year, in his State of the District address Monday morning, Superintendent Dwight Jones said there is still much more to be done.
Jones said the school district could be facing another tough budget year.
Already, the school district has made $600 million in cuts in the last five years.
According to the district, finding areas to cut will prove difficult, as will keeping teachers in the classroom.
Jones said the county's schools are vastly overcrowded and understaffed, a problem he said cannot be ignored this upcoming legislative session.
"At some point, we're going to have to invest back in education," he said. "I think it has to start this session. I don't think we can wait for another two years.
The district has already cut teachers and staff in the past year and Jones said more cuts are possible.
But as to when that could happen -- or how many jobs could be lost -- will remain unanswered for months, as administrators continue to develop the budget.
Jones said he will try to keep cuts away from the classroom.
"That is a losing battle," he said. "That's going to cause us to lose more teachers instead of gain more teachers."
Jones said priorities for this coming year include improving up middle school curriculum with an emphasis on math and science.
Teachers will also work with low-income students to help them take more advanced placement classes, which could lead to free college credit.
For longtime volunteer Diane Kinsen, she said she is anxious to get things moving for Nevada, which has some of the lowest graduation rates in the country.
"Sometimes, it gets frustrating because changes aren't happening that fast -- but we have to remember, they can't," she said.
Jones said there will be administrators in Carson City throughout the legislative session, which begins Feb. 4, and will make the trip himself when needed.
He said the top priority is getting resources for students.
Gov. Brian Sandoval's State of the State address will air Wednesday.
CCSD Superintendent Dwight Jones delivers the State of the District address Monday.
