Tomorrow marks the first day of the two-week period during which Nevada educators can opt out of teachers unions.

The July 1-15 window marks the only time during the year that educators can remove themselves from the rolls of teachers unions.

Membership in teachers unions is optional in Nevada. Educators have the right to join a teachers union, but they cannot be forced to join. Non-members cannot be required to pay teacher union fees or dues, and employers cannot discriminate against individuals based on their union membership status, according to teacherfreedom.org.

Prior to 2018, teaching at a public school in the state required educators to pay union dues or fees to retain their jobs. A 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME affirmed that non-union workers cannot be forced to pay money to public-sector unions.

Silver State educators who opt out a teachers union can save several hundred dollars annually. They must opt out during the first two weeks of July, however, or they will have to pay dues for the coming year.

“Teachers unions rely on dues to drive political agendas,” said Nevada Policy President John Tsarpalas. “They use that money to organize public school teachers and staff for lobbying and to push candidates for office.

“The overwhelming majority of educators enter the profession to help children learn,” he added. “Belonging to a teachers union does nothing to support them in accomplishing that task.”

To exercise your freedom to opt out of the teachers union, click here.