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, October 13, 2023
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Public Comment #1
There was no public comment in the board room or online.
Board Approved the Consent Agenda
Highlights of the consent agenda included transportation plans and amendment applications for Quest Academy, Legacy Traditional Schools – Cadence Campus, Honors Academy of Literature, and Elko Institute for Academic Achievement.
SPCSA Interim Executive Director’s Report
Highlights from the report include:
- Staffing: There are 8 vacancies, 6 of those are new positions. Interviews and job offers are in progress. Positions should be filled by the end of the calendar year.
- Transportation Funding: $2.3M in transportation funding is available with an urgency to get it out. Round 2 of funding proposals is active.
Board Reviewed School Contract Amendment Applications
Doral Academy of Northern Nevada was approved to adopt an updated enrollment lottery priority in accordance with an agreement the school has with the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Explore the Doral Academy of Northern Nevada recommendation memo.
Nevada State High School’s flagship campus in Summerlin was approved to move from its Durango campus to a new location adjacent to College of Southern Nevada’s Charleston campus.
Explore the Nevada State High School recommendation memo.
Board Approved Issuances and Removals of Notices of Academic Performance
Staff provided Board members with options regarding potential issuance and removal of Notices based on academic performance for the 2022-23 school year. Highlights included:
- Nevada Department of Education recently released the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) results for the 2022-2023 school year.
- This is the first-time star ratings have been released since the 2018-2019 school year. Additionally, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education are still impacting student growth and performance data.
- Given this, the Authority should consider the following:
- A one-time exception to the standard academic notice
- Incorporating the SPCSA Academic Performance Framework into academic notice criteria, as authorized by NAC 388A.350.
- Lifting existing academic notices for schools that received a three-star or higher rating in the 2023 NSPF AND Meets or Exceeds Standard in the SPCSA Academic Performance Framework.
- Maintaining existing academic notices for schools that did not achieve a three-star or higher rating in the 2023 NSPF AND Meets or Exceeds Standard in the SPCSA Academic Performance Framework.
Board approved Option 1 of three options regarding the need to hold schools more accountable for academic underperformance as follows:
- Issue notices to any schools demonstrating underperformance (schools with a 1- or 2-star NSPF rating AND Below or Does Not Meet Standard in the SPCSA Academic Performance Framework).
- Lift existing academic notices for schools that received a three-star or higher rating in the 2023 NSPF AND Meets or Exceeds Standard in the SPCSA Academic Performance Framework.
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Explore the presentation here.
Board Conducted Interviews for the Executive Director Position
Five candidates for the role of Executive Director of the State Public Charter School Authority were selected to be interviewed. Of these five candidates, three names will be submitted to the Governor’s office for review and final appointment. Candidate interview highlights included:
- Dennis Holmes – Former educator and administrator with more than 30 years experience.
- Jessica Hoban – 15 years of fiscal and operational experience with State of NV. Prior experience with SPCSA and former small-business owner.
- Melissa Mackedon – Current charter school CEO (since 2011) and former Board Chair of SPCSA.
- Patrick Carter – Experience in education, management, communications, business operations, and board governance.
- Sione Thompson – Not present for interview. Resume and cover letter available in the below link.
Review the candidates’ resumes.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Academic Performance Framework Results and NSPF Results
- Growth Management Plan
- Renewal and New School Applications
- Organizational Performance Results
- Academic and Demographic Needs Assessment
Review the calendar here.
Public Comment #2
Public comment highlights included:
- Celebration of Kamari Wolfe’s life
- School safety
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, @ 9:00 a.m.
