Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, is a prime example of a reluctant learner. When competitive teacher salaries were discussed last week, he argued that Nevada's retirement system wasn't being figured in as part of teacher compensation. Well, Lynn, while many states might not have as a good a retirement system as Nevada, their teachers get other benefits that Nevada teachers don't. That's why prospective teachers are going elsewhere. Other states offer retirement plans and higher salaries.
Many states provide funds for continuing education, too.
Most Nevada teachers are also paying for classroom supplies because of low per student expenditures. Reluctant learners in the Legislature are costing the state dearly in terms of providing our sons and daughters the best and brightest teachers. HIs column appears on Monday.