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 one 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, May 21, 2021
State Public Charter School Authority Special Board Meeting
Click here to see the meeting agenda
What happened at this meeting?
SPCSA Executive Directors’ and SPCSA Staff Report:
Report highlights:
- Initiatives Related to Serving All Students Equitably.
- The board reviewed a summary of the initial steps the authority can take to support schools in their efforts to serve all students equitably and uphold the SPCSA’s values of equity and diversity.
- Click here to read the full recap.
- Results from the 2020-2021 SPCSA Sponsor Survey
- The board sought feedback from all charter school leaders about their experience working with the SPCSA as a charter school sponsor. The survey was open from March 24, 2021 through April 9, 2021 and covered four topics: Communications, Authorizing, School Support, and Grants. Survey results highlights include:
- Overall, the results show that schools are satisfied with communication with the SPCSA, and many respondents commented that communication has improved.
- Survey results show that the vast majority of respondents believe the SPCSA is clear when communicating accountability expectations.
- Overall, 84% of respondents indicated that the technical support (e.g. targeted training, school requested, parent complaints) provided by the SPCSA School Support Team has benefited their school/campus.
- While the responses indicate that 84% of respondents agree or strongly agree that “overall, the SPCSA provides sufficient support and technical assistance on the grant application process,” survey data indicates that a number of respondents do not believe that the SPCSA’s grant reimbursement process is efficient. Additionally, a number of open-ended responses indicate that improving the grant administration process is an important priority from the perspective of schools.
- Full results can be found here.
- The board sought feedback from all charter school leaders about their experience working with the SPCSA as a charter school sponsor. The survey was open from March 24, 2021 through April 9, 2021 and covered four topics: Communications, Authorizing, School Support, and Grants. Survey results highlights include:
Board Approved Covid-19 Guidance for Schools
Under SPCSA’s COVID-19 guidance, schools are required to maintain a minimum of three feet social distancing for students and six feet social distancing for adults at SPCSA-sponsored schools, including within school buildings, on school grounds, and within school transportation vehicles for summer 2021 programming.
The guidelines will also allow schools located in counties with less restrictive social distancing guidance to seek an exemption from the Executive Director.
Click here to read the full COVID-19 update.
Board Heard Presentation on Weighted Lottery System
The Authority heard from the Doral Academy of Northern Nevada and Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada on how they are working to address equitable access through the implementation of a weighted lottery.
- Both schools implemented a weighted lottery giving FRL students 2 to 1 preference.
- Both schools saw some success with the weighted lottery system reporting an increase in FRL students’ applications and acceptance rate.
- Some challenges reported by both schools include a low number of available seats due to current student sibling preference as well as a low number of families who identified as qualified for the weighted lottery turned in the verification paperwork.
The board then participated in a discussion about the findings and results of the weighted lottery. Topics surrounded how to continue to increase the number of FRL students by exploring strategies to encourage more applicants to fill out the verification paperwork and how to possibly identify additional ways to identify students that would not require families to complete the paperwork such as identifying specific zip codes.
Click here for a full overview of the program and findings.
Board Heard Updates on New Charter Schools Approved for Fall 2021
CIVICA Career and Collegiate Academy
- CIVICA leadership provided updates on current school initiatives including marketing and community outreach strategies, as well as hiring and funding updates.
- All support staff has been hired. The school is still seeking teachers for multiple grade levels.
- Great Schools for Nevada CSP funding has been awarded at 1.5 million dollars.
- Current enrollment stands at 559 with waitlists for Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th.
- Click here for full update.
Sage Collegiate Public Charter School
- Sage Collegiate has solidified a partnership with Lied Memorial Boys and Girls Club as the year 1 facility and on track to open doors on August 2nd.
- Updates were given on current partnerships including Stone Bridge Learning Academy, Kids Our Us Academy, and Leaders in Training, with their Little Leaders program.
- Sage Collegiate
- has hired a Manager of Student Services and has also allotted in their 2021-22 budget the hiring of an Instructional Aide to support students in Special Education.
- Great Schools for Nevada CSP funding has been awarded at 1.5 million dollars.
- Click here for full update.
TEACH Las Vegas
- TEACH Las Vegas is still in the process of hiring an Executive Director.
- The TEACH Las Vegas Board of Directors has entered into a lease agreement with Red Hook Capital Partners for the school site at 4624-4660 N. Rancho Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89130.
- Great Schools for Nevada CSP funding has been awarded at 1.5 million dollars.
- TEACH Las Vegas is utilizing both online and in-person recruiting efforts to increase enrollment. Current enrollment for verified, in progress and interested stands at 159.
- Click here for the full update.
Las Vegas Collegiate
- School leadership has not been able to find a facility citing limited inventory, pandemic-related challenges and the current real estate market.
- Las Vegas Collegiate is requesting a second deferral plan and has committed to present to the board at the June 25, 2021 Board meeting
- The board passed the following motion:
- Las Vegas Collegiate will not open for the 2021-22 school year. By June 10, 2021, Las Vegas Collegiate will submit to staff a detailed deferral plan for a 2022-23 school year opening.
- Click here to read the full update from Las Vegas Collegiate.
- Click here to read full SPCSA Las Vegas Collegiate Recommendation Memo
Board Approved Revisions to Growth Management Plan
Click here to read full updates and revisions. Updates can be seen in grey.
Board Heard Updates on 2021 Legislative Session
SPCSA General Counsel Ryan Herrick provided updates on education bills that the Authority is following.
- Assembly Bill 68 – AB-68 introduces legislation by the SPCSA regarding changes to charter school application periods, charter contracts, and grade level requirements. Director Fieden presented comments on this bill at the March 18th hearing to the Assembly of Education. The bill was amended and recommended to pass as amended.
- Assembly Bill 109 – AB-109 removes an existing statute that allows for up to 30% of charter school teachers to be unlicensed.
- Assembly Bill 419 – AB-419 adds governance training requirements for charter school boards and the SPCSA board; requires certain reporting by charter schools that contract with Educational Management Organizations (EMOs); requires the SPCSA to report to the Interim Education Committee on certain items.
- Assembly Bill 420 – AB-420 Revises the definition of “Educational Management Organization” (EMO).
- Senate Bill 126 – SB-126 requires libraries and librarians in charter schools.
- Senate Bill 173 – SB-173 directs emergency federal funding to summer school in order to address student learning loss. Districts and charter schools may opt-in to the program.
- Senate Bill 215 – SB-215 changes provisions related to distance education.
- Senate Bill 363 – SB-363 financial reporting related to funds paid to Educational Management Organizations (EMOs).
- Senate Bill 253 – SB-253 Revises Nevada’s Open Meeting Law.
- Senate Bill 439 – SB – 439 Implements Nevada’s Pupil Centered Funding Plan.
Long-Range Calendar Update
Starting with the June board meeting there will be a physical location for both members and the public. Members will still be able to participate virtually.
Elections for the Chair and Vice-Chair will take place at the June meeting.
Click here to see the long-range calendar.
Sign up to receive a notification when a new Ed-Watch post is published: