A Sinking Feeling for Our Kids Yet Again

A recap of our recent reporting plus bonus content.

May 16, 2025

In a state ranking at the very bottom of education metrics, our own Washoe County is facing an unknown budgetary shortfall which will become clearer when the state budget goes through in June, also dependent on whether any school supportive legislation goes through.

This comes amid an uncertain overall economic climate, and ongoing slashes to federal funding, which locally already saw the closure of the United Readers program after drastic cuts to AmeriCorps. School District Board President Beth Smith says 500 students abruptly lost their literacy support, while reading mentors were suddenly terminated.

Adding to uncertainties, nearly two dozen local schools will be getting new principals for the next school year.

At the national level, the federal budget under negotiation is looking to reduce the safety net while funding regressive tax cuts, and further increasing inequalities from poor to rich and young to old.

With current plans, about two million children in need could lose access to food stamps. Roughly half the children in the country are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which both face major downsizing. The already hobbled Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program faces even more cuts, while the Social Services Block Grant helping with social services for low-income children may be totally eliminated.

The current administration has also stated yet to be carried out plans to get rid of federal funding for Head Start. Programs that helped food banks and school meal programs buy local foods have already been decimated, after the new U.S Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called these programs “nonessential.”

What is essential is taking care of our kids, making sure they eat healthy at school so they can study better, whatever they eat at home, making sure their schools are funded, their teachers well paid, and their health care ensured.

There are staggering statistics out there, including in Washoe County with suicide being a leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24.

Here and nationally supporting children’s well-being should be our number one priority and not political fodder.