Nevadans vote for children’s education with WC-1

Save Our Schools signs in front of Shopper’s Square, urging people to vote “yes” on WC-1.

It is no secret that the education system in Nevada has ranked last in the nation for the last few years. Action has been taken to raise the quality of education in Nevada. This year, efforts are no longer directed at quality, but at quantity.

Washoe County Question 1 (WC-1) is a ballot initiative in Northern Nevada aimed to alleviate overcrowded schools and repair existing schools. WC-1 would impose a sales and use tax of 0.54 cents in the county. The possibility of an increase in sales and use tax can be troubling for some voters, but for others, they are all in.

Spanish Springs Elementary School, a polling location for Northern Nevada, is one elementary school affected by overcrowding.

Joseph Smith supports WC-1, as he was personally affected by the overcrowding of schools in Northern Nevada. Smith graduated in 2012 from a high school that was overcrowded during his time there. This experience influenced his decision to support WC-1.

“It is an incredibly small amount of money that I would pay that can do good for the school district,” Smith says, regarding the 0.54 cent tax increase that WC-1 would impose.

Money seems to be the only viable solution to raise money for schools that Smith can see. Whether the money comes from an increase in tax, reallocation of funds or cutting spending on other areas, money is still involved, Smith says.

Leslie*, a Northern Nevada voter, supports the tax increase, however, she does not believe it is enough. Reno is growing very fast, especially with new companies entering Northern Nevada, Leslie says. It can be a good thing as it is creating new jobs, but other industries, such as the housing market and education, are way behind.

Leslie hopes revenue from the tax increase will bring new schools to Northern Nevada. She has one idea to help alleviate the overcrowding of schools,

“Find a good blueprint and use it for all schools, “ Leslie says.

While there are many different views about the overcrowding of schools and WC-1, there is one view that is prevalent with many of the voters interviewed today at the polls: children are the primary focus.

Shopper’s Square, another polling location in Northern Nevada, is where Colleen voted in support of WC-1.

Colleen*, a former Democrat and now Republican, is supportive of WC-1. Children are the ones who are most affected by the overcrowding of schools, and they do not have a say in the ballot polls, says Colleen. Registered voters do.

“Just because [national politics] is screwed up, children shouldn’t be,” Colleen says. “Children should come first.”

*Declined to give last names.