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? 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). 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 18, 2025
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Public Comments
Public comments included:
- Concern regarding financial notices of breach
- Members of Opportunity 180 presented the ecosystem of financial support provided to its portfolio and partner schools, and additional concerns regarding financial notices of breach
Board Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights included:
- March 14th, 2025, meeting minutes
- Charter contract amendment applications
SPCSA Charter School Governing Body Governance Standards
The Board discussed the Governance Standards adopted by the Authority pursuant to Assembly Bill 419 (2021).
SPCSA Executive Director’s Report
Highlights from the report include:
- School Highlight: Discovery Charter School Sandhill improved to a three-star rating from last year, increasing 20 index points.
- Delinquent Schools’ PERS Contributions: NV Prep and Equipo Academy are on PERS-approved monthly payment plans.
- TEACH & Eagle Closure Updates: There are inaccuracies among W2s for Eagle Charter School due to inaccurate information in the school’s payroll system. Corrected W2s have been sent out. PERS has also denied Eagle’s appeal to waive its penalty. TEACH has the statement of work for the closeout audit and the procedures are in place for the opening audit. PERS has denied TEACH’s appeal to waive its penalty.
- Legislative Update: The SPCSA’s bill is AB39, and was introduced in the Assembly Education Committee on February 18. The agency has also presented its budget, as well as an overview to the Senate Education Committee.
Board Heard Updates from New Schools
Do and Be Arts Academy of Excellence was able to secure a permanent facility for the 2025-26 school year and has been recommended for approval from the SPCSA
Rooted School Las Vegas granted exemption requests and grade-level offering, provided evidence Rooted has 90 or more students for the 2025-26 school year and has been recommended for approval from the SPCSA.
Board Heard Updates from CCSD Charter School Transfers
Odyssey Charter Schools of Nevada provided a presentation of an overview of their academic performance, learning models, facilities, history, and goals to improve both academic performance and improve its current facility or move its physical school facility.
Explore the presentation.
Explore Knowledge Academy provided a presentation with an overview of its facilities, history, facilities, learning models, and demographics. Additionally, they presented goals of student success, adult learning culture (participation in a book study), and connectedness.
Explore the presentation.
Board Took Action on Charter School Amendment Applications
The Board approved Signature Prepratory’s request to reduce the approved enrollment cap. The memo for the amendment can be found here.
The Board approved Silver Sands Montessori Charter School’s request to reduce the approved enrollment cap. The memo for the amendment can be found here.
Board Took Action on Acquisition Agreement
The board approved the Acquisition Agreement between pilotEd Cactus Park and Mater Academy of Nevada.
The Board took no action on Mater Academy of Northern Nevada. Review the recommendation memo.
Board Took Action on Financial Performance Reviews
The Board heard a brief presentation on the financial performance framework ratings. Explore the presentation here.
The Board took no action on Mater Academy of Northern Nevada. Review the recommendation memo.
The Board removed notices of concern for CIVICA Nevada Career and Collegiate Academy, Democracy Prep Nevada, Mater Academy of Nevada, Signature Preparatory, and Sports Leadership and Management Academy Nevada. Review the recommendation memo.
The Board issued notices of concern to Southern Nevada Trades High School and Young Women’s Leadership Academy.
The Board continued notices of concern to Battle Born Academy, Discovery Charter School, Equipo Academy and Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada.
The Board issued notices of breach to pilotED Cactus Park Elementary.
The Board deferred the issuance of notices of breach for Sage Collegiate Public Charter School and Nevada Prep. They will return to this item during the May 30th meeting where these schools were tasked with bringing additional supporting documentation from their bond representatives.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Charter school contract amendments
- Legislative updates
- Revolving loan application recommendations
- Language Access Plan
- Newly-sponsored schools’ updates
Explore the calendar.
Public Comment
There was no public comment at the conclusion of the meeting.
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, May 30, @ 9:00 a.m.
