Joe Lombardo, Governor of Nevada, said that the new open zoning policy enhances school access and student opportunities across districts. The statement was made on X.
“School choice is moving forward in Nevada thanks to our passage of a new open zoning policy,” said Lombardo, Nevada State Executive – Governor (R). “Our legislation enhances accountability, empowers educators, and ensures access for students to quality education for lifelong success. Regardless of their zip code. We implemented open zoning so our children can attend the school that best fits their educational needs.”
Nevada lawmakers are advancing Assembly Bill 533 (AB 533), which would permit open school enrollment across district lines, allowing students to attend public schools outside their designated ZIP code. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the bill is part of a broader education reform initiative supported by Governor Lombardo and Republican legislators. Proponents argue it expands access to better schools, while critics express concerns about funding and capacity issues in higher-performing districts.
A 2022 report from the Nevada Department of Education indicates that school quality varies significantly by ZIP code, with many schools in lower-income areas receiving just one or two stars out of five. Data from Healthy Southern Nevada show graduation and proficiency rates are notably lower in ZIP codes like 89101 compared to wealthier areas such as 89138. These disparities are central to the push for open enrollment policies that would allow greater student mobility.
According to Education Next, states like Florida, Arizona, and Wisconsin enrolled over 450,000 students in open-enrollment programs during the 2021–22 school year. Studies indicate modest academic gains and increased parent satisfaction where open zoning is available. A 2023 report by ExcelinEd noted that eight states expanded similar policies, citing strong public support for school choice.
Lombardo, who became the 31st Governor of Nevada in January 2023 after serving as Clark County Sheriff, has prioritized education reform according to his official biography. He holds a master’s degree in crisis management and has focused on expanding school choice and improving accountability. In 2025, he introduced the Nevada Accountability in Education Act to convert underperforming schools into charters and enhance funding transparency.
