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, March 1, 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:
- Transportation plans for TEACH Las Vegas
- Several charter school contract amendments related to enrollment caps
Explore the consent agenda items.
SPCSA Executive Director’s Report
Highlights from the report include:
- An introduction to new Board member Ty Whitaker
- Delinquent charter schools’ PERS contributions: Nevada Prep’s payment plan has been approved. Explore Academy is waiting for an appraisal, which will allow the school to pay in full; expected closing is in mid-March. For TEACH Las Vegas, a repayment plan has been requested for submission by March 15, 2024.
- New Charter School Enrollment and Facility update:
- Do & Be Arts Academy: Three facilities have been identified as options. The school’s first lottery will take place March 20, with five families with completed applications thus far.
- Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy: The school plans to submit a request to defer for one year due to not finding a facility that meets their needs in their desired zip codes.
- Rooted School: Weekly enrollment activities are underway, and the facility has been finalized. As of February 6, the school has 57 applications.
- Thrive Point: A new location has been identified. Enrollment has been delayed due to facility issues. The school plans to host a ribbon cutting and enrollment party to officially kick-off the enrollment period.
- Letters of Intent for new charter schools: Staff have been meeting via phone with schools who may submit Letters of Intent for the 2024 charter application cycle.
- Voluntary school tours for board members in April have begun to be calendared.
Board Heard an Update Regarding Vegas Vista Academy
The Vegas Vista Academy team provided an update on the school, due to open in August. It has submitted its candidacy for an International Baccalaureate school. There are 57 applications submitted, against a goal of 200. Family and community engagement activities are ongoing, and staffing is going well, with 10 offers accepted. The school’s board now has seven members. A temporary facility has been identified for the 2024-25 school year and the school is in the final stage of executing the lease for the building.
Explore the presentation.
Board Took Action on Contract Amendment Applications
Coral Academy of Science – Cadence Campus was approved to reduce its enrollment cap.
Coral Academy of Science – Nellis Campus was approved to expand enrollment in existing grades, and expand the facility at Nellis Air Force Base, with the condition that the school completes the SPCSA pre-opening process for new schools for the additional space.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Received an Update on Organizational Performance Review and Recommendations for the 2022-23 School Year, and Issued a Notice of Concern
The SPCSA Organizational Framework focuses on a school’s education program, financial management and oversight, governance and reporting, students and employees, and school environment. The Framework is rated as either “meets standard rating” or “does not meet standards.” The process for the ratings, as well as interventions, was reviewed. The Board accepted the 2022-23 Organizational Framework results as presented, and delegated authority to staff to provide final results to the governing boards of each charter.
The Board approved the recommendation of SPCSA staff to issue a Notice of Concern to Nevada Prep Charter School regarding the school’s organizational performance.
Explore the presentation and the recommendation memo.
Board Received an Update on Financial Performance Review and Recommendations for the 2022-23 School Year, and Issued and Maintained Notices of Concern
The SPCSA Financial Performance Framework focuses on both near-term and sustainability measures. Near-term measures are evaluated by current ratio, unrestricted days cash-on-hand ratio, enrollment variance, and debt default. Sustainability measures are evaluated by total margin, debt-to-asset ratio, cash flow, and debt service coverage ratio. The Framework is rated as either “meets standard rating,” “does not meet standard,” or “falls far below standard.”
The Board adopted the Financial Performance Framework results for all indicators for FY 2023. The Board also approved the recommendation of SPCSA staff to issue a Notice of Concern to Battle Born Academy, Discovery Charter School, Mater Academy of Nevada, Nevada Connections Academy, pilotED Cactus Park, Sage Collegiate Public Charter School, and Sports Leadership and Management Academy. Each of these schools must develop a financial improvement plan and submit quarterly updates regarding the plan. It also voted to maintain a Notice of Concern for CIVICA Academy, Democracy Prep, Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada, and Signature Preparatory. Legacy Traditional Schools must maintain its existing Financial Improvement Plan.
Explore the presentation and the recommendation memo.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Regulation update workshop (at 8:00 a.m., prior to the April 12 board meeting)
- New schools update
- Revolving loan application recommendations
- Charter school contract amendments
- Language access plan
Explore the calendar.
Public Comment
Public comment highlights included:
- Progress of Battle Born Academy during its first year of operations
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, April 12, @ 9:00 a.m.
