Nevada parents, meet the union boss blocking school choice

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

Randi Weingarten is the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of the largest teachers’ unions in the country.

She’s been making headlines lately blasting President Trump’s plan to audit the Department of Education and possibly cut its size. Weingarten says Trump’s approach is “cruel” and will hurt students.

But there’s a lot more to the story — especially for parents here in Nevada who are fed up with our failing schools and want more accountability for how education dollars are spent.

What’s Actually Happening in Washington

The Trump administration recently announced it would cut more than 1,300 jobs at the Department of Education.

Supporters say this is about making the department more efficient and trimming waste. Critics claim it will slow down things like processing federal student aid.

But let’s be honest: Washington agencies have a long history of spending more money without improving results.

Nevada’s education system — ranked near the bottom in national reports despite constant funding increases — is proof that more spending doesn’t always mean better learning.

The Union’s Role in Politics

Weingarten’s opposition to the audits might have another layer.

Under her leadership, the AFT has been deeply involved in political campaigns, mostly backing Democrats.

Federal filings show that union dues — paid by teachers — go toward lobbying, election ads, and public relations.

This political spending became an even bigger issue after the Supreme Court’s 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision, which said government workers can’t be forced to pay union fees.

The ruling was meant to protect employees who don’t want their money used for politics they don’t support.

Big Paychecks and Pricey Perks

While teachers in Nevada often say they’re underpaid, Weingarten herself took home $498,781 in salary during the 2022—2023 school year.

That’s a big jump from previous years.

Then there’s the spending on perks. Reports show the AFT spent about $200,000 on limousine rides.

That’s not exactly what most parents think of when they picture “fighting for the kids.”

Global Ties and Classroom Influence

The AFT has also partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) on curriculum projects.

Supporters say this is about sharing ideas. Critics worry it’s another example of global groups pushing their own agenda into local classrooms.

In Nevada, where many parents are already pushing for more school choice and less federal interference, the idea of a teachers’ union teaming up with an elite international group raises red flags.

This Hits Nevada Classrooms

Nevada’s public schools have been struggling for years.

Despite billions in state and federal funding, test scores remain low, and parents are demanding options like charter schools, education savings accounts, and more local control.

If the Department of Education is audited and trimmed down, it could mean fewer federal mandates and more flexibility for states.

That could give Nevada a better chance to design programs that actually work for our kids instead of following a one-size-fits-all plan from Washington.

Where This Leaves Us

Weingarten frames Trump’s audit as an attack on students, but many parents and taxpayers see it as long-overdue accountability — both for the Department of Education and for unions that spend millions on politics while student performance lags behind.

As the debate continues, Nevada families should keep asking the real questions: Is our money being spent on teaching kids to read, write, and think for themselves — or is it going toward political power plays and fancy perks?

*

Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.