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.
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 14, 2023
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Staff Provided a Legislative Update
Staff provided an update on legislation relating to the Authority. Highlights included:
- Staff presented to the Legislature on how the Authority would spend additional funds.
- Staff is closely monitoring several bills, available in the update document below.
- The deadline for bills to pass out of their committee of origin is April 14. Several bills have been identified for potential exemption, however.
- The Governor’s sweeping education bill is AB 400 and will continue to be monitored.
Review the update.
Board Approved the Proposed Changes and Authorized Staff to Submit a Report, Pursuant to Executive Order 2023-003
SPCSA staff provided an overview of Executive Order 2023-003, which requires all state agencies (including SPCSA), to undertake a review of regulations subject to the state agency’s enforcement to determine how to streamline, clarify, reduce, or clarify those regulations. Ten regulations must be submitted to the Governor’s office for potential reduction by May 1.
Staff reviewed a redline version of the regulations that have been identified to eliminate, including several where the regulatory authority granted by the regulation is duplicative. Once submitted, the Governor’s office will provide feedback and there will be several opportunities for engagement via workshops, public comment, and other forums.
Review the memo and the redline version of the regulations.
Board Received an Update on Schools Opening in Fall 2023
- Board Received an Update on Schools Opening in Fall 2023
- Eagle Charter Schools of Nevada: Planned enrollment is 540 students; 35 students have been fully enrolled and 65 are in the process of completing their enrollment. 450+ applications have been submitted. Community events continue to be held for awareness, and the facility continues to progress. An office manager has been hired and several offer letters for additional staff have been sent. Explore the update presentation.
- Pinecrest Academy Springs Campus: A Vice Principal has been hired, and all but two teaching positions have been hired. The land use application review concluded in March, and an updated timeline was provided. The lottery was held March 1, and student recruiting and enrollment efforts continue for all grade levels. Explore the update presentation.
- Rooted School – Las Vegas: Rooted has applied for a PERS account. The school will be co-located with Nevada Prep for its opening year. Its Infinite Campus contract has been approved, and training begins the week of 4/17. The CMO agreement has been submitted to the Authority, and all pre-opening items have been submitted. Community engagement for enrollment and recruitment continues, with 13 applications submitted online. Several community partners have been identified, with meetings taking place on an ongoing basis. Explore the update presentation.
- Southern Nevada Trades High School: Special conditions identified have been met, and the school’s special use permit was approved in March. Staff has been hired to support registration and enrollment. There are 65 ninth graders and 55 tenth graders who have applied to-date, as well as 100+ interest forms completed. Explore the memo and update presentation
Board Received an Update on Schools Opening in Fall 2023
- Eagle Charter Schools of Nevada: Planned enrollment is 540 students; 35 students have been fully enrolled and 65 are in the process of completing their enrollment. 450+ applications have been submitted. Community events continue to be held for awareness, and the facility continues to progress. An office manager has been hired and several offer letters have been sent. Explore the update presentation.
- Pinecrest Academy Springs Campus: A Vice Principal has been hired, and all but two teaching positions have been hired. The land use application review concluded in March, and an updated timeline was provided. The lottery was held March 1, and student recruiting and enrollment efforts continue for all grade levels. Explore the update presentation.
- Rooted School – Las Vegas: Rooted has applied for a PERS account. It will be co-located with Nevada Prep for its opening year. Its Infinite Campus contract has been approved, and training begins the week of 4/17. The CMO agreement has been submitted to the Authority, and all pre-opening items have been submitted. Community engagement for enrollment and recruitment continues, with 13 applications submitted online. Several community partners have been identified, with meetings taking place on an ongoing basis. Explore the update presentation.
- Southern Nevada Trades High School: Special conditions identified have been met, and the school’s special use permit was approved in March. Staff has been hired to support registration and enrollment. There are 65 ninth graders and 55 tenth graders who have applied to-date, as well as 100+ interest forms completed. Explore the memo and update presentation.
Explore the briefing memo.
Board Approved Several Charter School Contract Amendments
- Nevada Virtual Academy: The Board conditionally approved the Good Cause Exemption to terminate its agreement with K12 Virtual Schools. Explore the amendment application and recommendation memo.
- Signature Preparatory: The Board conditionally approved the Good Cause Exemption to terminate its service agreement with Charter One LLC and enter into a service agreement with Charter One NV, effective July 1, 2023. Explore the amendment application and recommendation memo.
- Nevada Rise Academy: The Board approved the request to reduce the enrollment cap for the 2023-24 school year from 476 to 364 students, and reduce the enrollment cap for the remainder of the charter term to reflect this adjustment. Explore the amendment application and recommendation memo.
Board Issued a Notice of Breach for Girls Empowerment Middle School (GEMS)
The Board voted to issue a Notice of Breach under the Financial Performance Framework to GEMS. The school will be required to develop and submit a Viability Plan by April 25, 2023, that includes the school’s tentative FY24 budget, evidence of enrollment, confirmation of facility costs, and any additional evidence of funding to demonstrate how the school will sustain operations through June 30, 2024.
The Board designated Director Feiden and Director Modrcin to meet with GEMS leadership and board to discuss the requirements and expectations of the Viability Plan.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Charter school contract amendments
- Revolving loan application recommendations
- New schools update
- Legislative updates
- Charter school applications received
- Overview of Project Aware grant
Explore the calendar.
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2023, @ 9:00 a.m.
