The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions
are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.
State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA)
What is the SPCSA & what are they responsible for? Considered one of Nevada’s school districts, the SPCSA sponsors and oversees public charter schools. The Authority consists of seven appointed members responsible for overseeing educational and operational standards and holding sponsored schools accountable to the academic achievement of students.
How often does the SPCSA Board meet? The SPCSA typically meets once a month, generally on Fridays.
Click here for SPCSA meeting schedule and materials.
Can community members engage at SPCSA Board Meetings? While all meetings of the SPCSA are typically held publicly at the Nevada Department of Education building in Carson City and the Nevada Department of Education building in Las Vegas (1st floor boardroom), all meetings are now held virtually due to the COVID-19 crisis. Members of the public may view the meeting online via the link on the SPCSA’s Public Notice web page and the agenda and any supporting materials can be found here. Public comment may be given on any agenda item at the beginning of the meeting, or public comment regarding any matter that is SPCSA-related may be given at the conclusion of each Board meeting. Members of the community giving public comment can utilize the following conference call line: 1-312-584-2401; extension 3952176# with a time limit of three minutes per speaker. Alternatively, public comment may be submitted in writing to publiccomment@spcsa.nv.gov, and any such public comment received prior to the meeting will be provided to the Authority and included in the written minutes of the meeting.
Click here for a list of all SPCSA Members.
Click here for a list of all SPCSA sponsored schools.
Friday, December 13, 2024
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Board Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights included:
- November board meeting minutes
- COVID-19 plan for the safe return to in-person instruction
Explore the consent agenda items.
SPCSA Executive Director’s Report
Highlights from the report include:
- School highlight: Director Mackedon highlighted the work Doral Academy – Red Rock is undertaking in regards to career and technical education, including game development, computer science, and video production.
- Delinquent schools PERS contributions: All schools with delinquent PERS contributions have been approved for payment plans.
- TEACH & Eagle Charter School closure update: TEACH received final payment for its furniture and equipment, and has made its final payment to PERS. The school is now working to conduct the final audit of the wind-down. Eagle Charter School has resolved its CSP receivables issue, and expects payment later in December. The school is coordinating with accounting firm Clifton Larson Allen to perform the financial audit of the wind-down.
- Legislative update: SPCSA has established a fiscal notes working group of school leaders. The SPCSA’s bill for the upcoming legislative session is AB39.
Board Discussed Four-Year Graduation Rates for the Class of 2024
The four-year graduation rate for the SPCSA Class of 2023-24 was 83.3%, a slight decrease from 2022-23, but outperforming the state average of 81.6%. Ten of the fourteen SPCSA Student groups outperformed their peers, including various race/ethnicity groups, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners. Additionally, more than half of the SPCSA graduates were awarded an Advanced or College and Career Ready Diploma.
Explore the presentation.
Board Discussed 2024-25 School Year Enrollment Data
Staff provided an update on enrollment for SPCSA schools, following the Octber 1 student enrollment day. The official enrollment for SPCSA schools for 2024-25 is 63,609 students, representing the third largest LEA in Nevada, behind Washoe County School District. The total number of students represents a 2.7% increase over enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. Over 50% of SPCSA students are enrolled at Title I schools.
Year-over-year, SPCSA enrollment rates increased for students identifying as Asian, Hispanic/Latino, or two or more races, as well as economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners
Explore the presentation.
Board Discussed PilotED – Cactus Park Elementary School’s Contract Amendment
PilotED – Cactus Park Elementary School was approved for a grace period to amend their charter contract due to a change in its Charter Management Organization. The grace period will run until April 18, 2025, but the school must submit a board-approved charter amendment application by March 28, 2025,, specifically detailing the transition plan for the 2025-26 school year through the remainder of their charter contract.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Took Action on Contract Amendment Applications
The Board approved Beacon Academy’s request to expand enrollment in existing grade levels and facilities, and to remove the third party Supplemental Alternative Performance Framework requirement from its charter contract. Further, Beacon Academy leadership will work with SPCSA to identify and complete pre-opening requirements pertaining to the occupation of the school’s new building on its existing West Campus location.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Took Action on Charter School Contract Renewals
Amplus Academy was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of eight years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 2,256 students for the 2032-33 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of eight years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 6,360 students for the 2032-33 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Doral Academy of Nevada was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of eight years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 6,364 students for the 2032-33 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of six years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 1,334 students for the 2030-31 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Leadership Academy of Nevada was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of seven years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 300 students for the 2031-32 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Learning Bridge Charter School was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of five years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 183 students for the 2029-30 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Mater Academy of Nevada was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of seven years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 4,228 students for the 2031-32 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Signature Preparatory was approved to renew its charter contract for a period of six years, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as enrollment caps outlined in the recommendation memo, for a total enrollment of 1,080 students for the 2030-31 school year. Review the recommendation memo.
Board Approved the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Staff presented the final draft 2025-2030 strategic plan, and the Board approved the plan. Major strategic goals include:
- Provide communities with access to excellent schools that students and families want to attend.
- Improve upon existing performance on the NSPF by achieving 60% four-star or better, and 78% three-star or better schools.
- 85% of schools on the organizational and financial framework intervention ladder returned to good standing or not escalated.
- Provide equitable access to charter schools.
- The percentage of Title I schools in the SPCSA portfolio isa t or above the percentage of statewide Title I schools.
- New charter schools opening under this strategic plan will have an ELL enrollment rate at or above their district average.
- New charter schools opening under this strategic plan will have an enrollment rate of students with IEPs at or above the state average.
- The SPCSA is committed to being a responsive organization.
- Most respondents indicated satisfaction with SPCSA communication during the annual survey.
- The SPCSA will establish a comprehensive communications strategy to supplement the strategic plan to improve communication internally and externally.
- The SPCSA will establish streamlined processes for high-performing charter school operators.
Explore the strategic plan.
Board Approved the 2025 Demographic and Academic Needs Assessment
The Board approved the 2025 Demographic and Academic Needs Assessment. This Assessment is updated annually to incorporate feedback, as well as NSPF and demographic data. This is to ensure charter applicants are meeting the needs of the community and students. Highlights from the assessment include:
- Demographic Needs -Include student groups that consistently underperform on the Nevada state assessments in Math and ELA, and students in groups that have been identified as historically underperforming, including students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ELLs, students with disabilities, students in foster care, and students experiencing homelessness
- Academic Needs – Zip codes with one more consistently underperforming schools and students at risk of dropping out of schools
More information on each of these categories can be found in the needs assessment document, linked below.
Explore the needs assessment.
Board Approved the Charter Application and Rubric for 2025 Applications
Staff presented the final draft of the 2025 charter application and rubric, and the Board approved both items. The revisions for the new application and rubric include:
- Including criteria in the rubric to be only evaluated during the capacity interview and not during the initial evaluation of the written application (Board Governance, Leadership Team, and Incubation Year Development)
- Clean-up of Financial Plan Workbook
- Adding language from and linking the Academic and Demographic Needs Assessment and the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Explore the application draft and the rubric draft, as well as the presentation.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Financial Performance Framework Results
- Annual report – Department of Education
- CCSD charter applications as a transferring of sponsorship
- Competency-based education presentation
Explore the calendar.
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, January 24, @ 9:00 a.m.
