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, April 12, 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:
- Updated Growth Management Plan
- Transportation plans for Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada and Vegas Vista Academy
- Amendments to charter school contracts for Sage Collegiate and Eagle Charter School
Explore the consent agenda items.
SPCSA Executive Director’s Report
Highlights from the report include:
- An introduction to new general counsel for SPCSA, Samantha King Powell, and Teresa Potter, the new administrative assistant for the board.
- Delinquent charter schools’ PERS contributions: NV Prep’s monthly payment plan has been approved by PERS. Explore Academy is awaiting appraisal, which will allow them to pay in full (funds are currently in an escrow account). TEACH Las Vegas’ repayment plan has been submitted to the PERS board.
- New Charter School Enrollment and Facility update:
- Do & Be Arts Academy: Two options are available for the school’s facility: a location already zoned for the use in 89084, and potentially co-locating with another school that has space. As of 3/3, 28 students have been fully enrolled.
- Rooted School’s campus will be located at 2401 E. Tonopah Ave. in North Las Vegas. There are weekly enrollment activities, and as of 3/3, the school has 72 applications. The enrollment goal is 50 by April 30, and 80 by May 31.
- Thrive Point should occupy their facility at 3802 Meadows Ln. by May. The school can start enrolling students or hold a lottery on April 29.
- Vegas Vista Academy: The school will be located at 5355 Madre Mesa Dr., and has received 80 applications, 24 of which are fully enrolled.
- Update on Performance Frameworks: Opportunity 180 is leveraging some of its federal CSP funds to source a contractor to assist with the updates these frameworks. After a competitive process, WestEd was selected to complete this work as a contractor for the SPCSA.
- Revolving Loan Update: DETR stepped in to help with the revolving loan fund, enabling the loan applications to be considered today.
Board Heard an Update from Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence
The school’s enrollment goal is 180 students, and 28 have been enrolled so far, with 11 applications in process. The total required staff is 13 staff members, and seven have been hired at this time. SPCSA’s opening checklist consists of 89 items; 36 are due. Enrollment and hiring goals are subject to change based on facilities.
The school submitted its PERS application and expects to submit its transportation application this month. The school is hosting enrollment and info events, including Arts and Integration Night (the next one is April 20). They are in the process of purchasing curriculum.
The school has not selected a facility yet, which is impacting enrollment numbers. There is a possibility the school could co-locate with Rooted School, which may impact enrollment caps, or Shadow Hills Church, which is outside of North Las Vegas. An additional standalone location in 89084 is also a possibility.
Their board is attending an upcoming training on April 20. A new board member with experience in marketing and operations is due to be voted in at their April board meeting.
Board Approved Revolving Loan Applications
The Board approved revolving loan applications for piloteED Cactus Park Public Charter School, Vegas Vista Academy, and Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence.
Review the recommendation memos for Cactus Park Elementary, Vegas Vista Academy, and Do & Be Arts Academy.
Board Approved Opening Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in 2025
The Board approved moving the opening of Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Issued a Notice of Financial Concern to Eagle Charter School
The Board voted to issue a Notice of Financial Concern to Eagle Charter School due to the overpayment of funds owed to the Nevada Department of Education totaling over $800,000, among other issues.
The school plans to have the Nevada Department of Education withhold Pupil-Centered Funding Formula payments until the balance has been paid. The school will provide an update at the May SPCSA board meeting, and again in June to review the cure and make a final decision about the school’s financial viability moving forward.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Revolving loan application recommendations
- New schools update
- Report on site evaluations
- Board elections (June)
- Northern Nevada board meeting (October 4)
Explore the calendar.
Public Comment
Public comment highlights included:
- Food insecurity
- Charter School Association of Nevada
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, May 17, @ 9:00 a.m.
