Nevada Ed-Watch: SPCSA 12/8/23

Autoridad Estatal de Escuelas Públicas Concertadas (SPCSA)

¿Qué es la SPCSA y de qué es responsable? Considerado como uno de los distritos escolares de Nevada, el SPCSA patrocina y supervisa las escuelas públicas charter. La Autoridad está formada por siete miembros designados responsables de supervisar las normas educativas y operativas y hacer que las escuelas patrocinadas sean responsables del rendimiento académico de los estudiantes.

¿Con qué frecuencia se reúne el Consejo de Administración de SPCSA? El SPCSA suele reunirse una vez al mes, generalmente los viernes.

Haga clic aquí para consultar el calendario y los materiales de las reuniones de la SPCSA.

¿Pueden los miembros de la comunidad participar en las reuniones de la Junta de SPCSA? Aunque todas las reuniones de la SPCSA se celebran normalmente en público en el edificio del Departamento de Educación de Nevada en Carson City y en el edificio del Departamento de Educación de Nevada en Las Vegas (sala de juntas del 1er piso), todas las reuniones se celebran ahora virtualmente debido a la crisis COVID-19. Los miembros del público pueden ver la reunión en línea a través del enlace en la página web de Aviso Público de SPCSA y la agenda y cualquier material de apoyo se puede encontrar aquí. El público puede hacer comentarios sobre cualquier punto del orden del día al principio de la reunión o sobre cualquier asunto relacionado con SPCSA al final de cada reunión del Consejo. Los miembros de la comunidad que hagan comentarios públicos pueden utilizar la siguiente línea de conferencia telefónica: 1-312-584-2401; extensión 3952176# con un límite de tiempo de tres minutos por orador. Alternativamente, los comentarios del público pueden enviarse por escrito a publiccomment@spcsa.nv.gov, y cualquier comentario público de este tipo recibido antes de la reunión se facilitará a la Autoridad y se incluirá en el acta escrita de la reunión.

Haga clic aquí para consultar la lista de todos los miembros de la SPCSA.

Haga clic aquí para ver una lista de todas las escuelas patrocinadas por SPCSA.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Reunión de la Junta Directiva de la Autoridad Estatal de Escuelas Públicas Charter

Acceda al orden del día y a la reproducción de la reunión.

¿Qué ocurrió en esta reunión?

Comentario público nº 1

Entre los comentarios del público destacan:

• Gratitude to the SPCSA for the opportunity to serve kids through proposed school Thrive Point Academy of Nevada

Informe del Director Ejecutivo de SPCSA

Entre los aspectos más destacados del informe figuran:

• Executive Director Update: SPCSA’s recently appointed Executive Director, Melissa Mackedon, shared an overview of activities since appointment to the role. These initiatives included participation in the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) conference, engagements with Governor Lombardo’s education team, and conversations with each SPCSA staff member and school leaders to gather feedback on what the SPCSA is doing well and potential sticking points that may require adjustment or amendment to inform future decision-making.
• Delinquent Schools’ PERS Contributions: SPCSA has been in contact with schools that have outstanding PERS obligations to address the remaining amounts. To mitigate this issue in the future, the SPCSA has incorporated PERS obligations into the pre-opening requirements for new schools and will offer training.
• New Charter Schools Pre-Opening Checklist: Four schools scheduled to open in the 2024-2025 school year include Do & Be Academy of Excellence, Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy Nevada, Rooted School Las Vegas, and Vegas Vista Academy, and a fifth school, Thrive Point Academy of Nevada, received approval to open later in this agenda. Each school will receive a pre-opening process memo with requirements as well as a pre-opening checklist which includes 85 items related to governance, enrollment, administration, staffing, personnel, facilities, academic programming, finance, SPCSA check-in calls, and trainings — including newly added training on PERS and Infinite campus. Explore the memo on new charter schools and the draft checklist.
• New Charter School Enrollment and Facility Update:
  • Do & Be Academy of Excellence is not yet in a lease but is considering three properties. Enrollment is open now through March 15, 2024, with lottery on the same day.
  • Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy Nevada has not finalized a facility but is evaluating two potential sites. One site would require amendment as it is outside of the approved zip codes. Lottery will take place at the end of March 2024.
  • Rooted School Las Vegas has signed the deed on a permanent facility and acquired 23 applications.
  • Vegas Vista Academy has established a facility and the lottery will be held on February 5, 2024.

    The Executive Director will provide the board with written monthly updates on school enrollment and facilities.

Board Conditionally Approved Thrive Point Academy’s Resubmitted Application

Thrive Point Academy is a proposed alternative high school that will open in the 89107 zip code with 300 students in year one. Thrive Point Academy’s resubmitted new charter school application was approved with the following conditions:

• Enrollment will be capped at 450 students in year two and each remaining year of the charter contract. The school may apply for an amendment to increase enrollment on a fixed cap once approved for the Alternative Performance Framework (APF) by the Board.
• The SPCSA will defer the issuance of academic notices until the school is eligible to apply for the APF. If not approved, notices will be issued.
• By January 15, 2024, the school will submit a report on which staff members will provide strong levels of support while enrollment is capped at 450 and identify who will oversee the duties of specific roles not yet filled.
• By March 15, 2024, school will provide a detailed plan with policy and procedures for the oversight of special student populations.
• School must complete the SPCSA pre-opening process for new charter schools.

Explore the recommendation memo and the application.

Board Took Action on Charter School Contract Renewal Applications

Honors Academy of Literature was approved for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Explore the recommendation memo.

Pinecrest Academy of Nevada was approved for an eight-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Explore the recommendation memo.

Nevada Virtual Charter School was approved for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Explore the recommendation memo.

Board Approved the Charter Application and Rubric for 2024 Applications

Revisions include requesting additional information in the Notice of Intent, providing more self-assessment opportunities during the application trainings, and updating three sections of the rubric to include criteria focused on evaluating the “ability of applicants to establish a high-quality charter school.” 

Explore the presentation, application, and application rubric.

Board Reviewed Four-Year Graduation Rates for the Class of 2024

The four-year graduation rate for SPCSA Class of 2022-23 was 83.8% – the fourth consecutive year that the SPCSA has outperformed the state. Additionally, seven SPCSA student groups outperformed their state groups, including various English Learners and students with disabilities. More than half of SPCSA graduates earned an Advanced or College and Career Ready diploma. 

Explore la presentación.

Board Reviewed 2023-24 School Year Enrollment Data

The official SPCSA enrollment for 2023-24 is 61,883 students, and remains the third largest local education agency in Nevada. Over 45% of SPCSA students are enrolled at Title I schools. Year-over-year, enrollment rates increased for students identifying as Asian, Hispanic/Latino, or Two or More Races, as well as students who identify as economically disadvantaged, English Learners, and students with disabilities. 

Explore la presentación.

Board Reviewed the 2024 Demographic and Academic Needs Assessment

The Academic & Demographic Needs Assessment is an evaluation of student demographic information, the academic needs of students, and the needs of students who are at risk of dropping out. When reviewing charter school applications, the Authority must consider the degree to which the proposed charter school will address the needs identified in the Needs Assessment. SPCSA is required to update the Needs Assessment by January 31 of each year.

Findings this year are consistent with previous years: English Language Learners, economically disadvantaged students, IEPs,  and students in transition as well as Native, Black, and Latino students are underperforming relative to their peers. The same student subgroups, with the exception of economically disadvantaged students, have lower rates of graduation.

Explore the Needs Assessment.

Board Heard an Overview of SPCSA’s Organizational Performance Framework

The performance framework measures the success, financial viability, and effectiveness of the school/organization. Principles of the Organizational Performance Framework include defining organizational benchmarks, treating schools the same, enabling school flexibility and autonomy, protecting public interest, and ensuring schools respect the rights of students, staff, families, and public.

Explore the Organizational Performance Framework.

Board Heard an Overview of the SPCSA’s Financial Performance Framework

Principles of the Financial Performance Framework include financial benchmarks, treating schools equitably, providing schools with flexibility and autonomy, and ensuring transparency is provided to the public.

Explore the Financial Performance Framework.

Calendario a largo plazo (próximos 3 meses):

Se prevé que los puntos del orden del día de las dos próximas reuniones del Consejo de Administración de SPCSA incluyan:

• Estado de la SPCSA
• Financial and Organizational Performance Framework results
• Annual report to Nevada Department of Education
• Nuevas escuelas

Explore the calendar.

Comentario público nº 2:

No hubo comentarios del público en la sala de juntas ni en Internet.

The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, January 26, @ 9:00 a.m.