Silver State Times

Joe Lombardo, the Republican candidate for governor of Nevada, said that if elected, he would prioritize improving schools.

"The next generation of Nevadans deserve better," Lombardo said on Facebook. "Our kids deserve better than to attend unsafe schools and to receive an education that’s ranked among the worst in the nation. We have to do better, and that starts with a governor willing to put our parents, teachers, and students first."

Results from the Smarter Balanced assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics administered during the 2020-21 school year show that 36.4% of Nevada third graders demonstrated grade-level proficiency in ELA, and 32.1% demonstrated grade level proficiency in math, according to the Nevada Department of Education.  Out of the state's 8th graders, 44.3% demonstrated grade level proficiency in ELA, and 21.4% demonstrated grade level proficiency in math.

Governor Steve Sisolak released his plan to address the state's budget shortfall in the wake of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. | Facebook

WalletHub used 33 metrics to rate the public schools in each state by quality and safety.  The report ranked Nevada's schools 39th for quality and 46th for safety, according to World Population Review.

Lombardo is a veteran of the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve, and the National Guard, according to Ballotpedia.  He served as an officer in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for 20 years before being elected Clark County sheriff in 2014.  He defeated 14 other candidates in the Republican primary election for governor of Nevada and will face off against incumbent Democrat Steve Sisolak in November.

Lombardo's plan for education includes supporting School Choice by expanding access to charter schools and scholarships and investing in Education Savings Accounts.  Lombardo has criticized incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak for ending programs such as Read by Grade Three and the Knowledge Fund.