Former Bank of Nevada CEO John Guedry and public education advocate Amanda Morgan had a tense back-and-forth during their discussion at IndyFest 2024 on school choice policies in Nevada.
In a 45-minute conversation with Nevada Independent CEO and Editor Jon Ralston and K-12 education reporter Rocio Hernandez, Guedry and Morgan sparred about the Opportunity Scholarships program, performance of the Clark County School District and best ways to meet the needs of Nevada’s students.
The Opportunity Scholarships program is a particularly contentious topic in Nevada. It was created in 2015 with no Democratic support and provides private school scholarships for students in households with annual incomes at or less than 300 percent of the federal poverty line. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has prioritized expanding the eligibility of the program and ensuring its longevity, despite continued opposition from Democrats.
Morgan, the legal director of the policy organization Educate Nevada Now, said the scholarship is a “voucher” and that supporters eventually want to turn Nevada into a “universal voucher” state where the scholarships are available for every student to attend private school. She said this money would be better spent in Nevada public schools, which have consistently ranked near last in per-pupil funding.
Guedry, meanwhile, strongly disagreed with characterizing the program as a “voucher,” calling it a “tax credit program” that should be expanded (the scholarships are funded by businesses that donate funds in exchange for tax credits). He said the program ensures quality education for students no matter what ZIP code they live in. He also condemned past uses of public school funding.
However, Guedry and Morgan agreed on certain education policies, including greater accountability measures for any school that receives public funding and more funding to support teachers.
Watch the full discussion below.
