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: 1-775-321-6111; Phone Conference ID: 894 302 869#. During the public comment periods, callers will dial *5 to raise their hand. The moderator will call out the last 4 numbers of the caller's phone number, at that time you will dial *6 to unmute and make comment. There is 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.
Thursday, October 9, 2026
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
Public Comment
Public comment highlights included:
- Concern whether current oversight mechanisms are sufficient to detect and address governance failures before they cause harm.
Board Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights included:
- The Doral Campus closure was removed from the consent Agenda.
- Updated Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Performance Framework results for Battle Born Academy.
- A written closure update from Closing Administrator Josh Kern for Sage Collegiate Public Charter School and Nevada Preparatory Academy.
Explore the consent agenda items.
Board Elected a New Vice Chair
The State Public Charter School Authority board elected Member Rosanne Richards as Vice Chair .
SPCSA Executive Director's Report
Highlights from the report include:
- In 2026 4 of 11 schools are SPCSA are sponsored charter schools improved by 2 or more stars on the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF). Those schools are: Learning Bridge Charter School. Founders Academy of Las Vegas, Discovery Charter School Hillpointe, and Silver Sands Montessori
- Strong Start Academy improved by 1 star and received a 5-star rating for the first time.
- One school, Democracy Prep Charter School, has a delinquent PERS balance, and the SPCSA is currently communicating a solution and has ensured that they are aware of the delinquent status.
- Expanded on the Governor's announcement regarding per-pupil funding allocations, in which the per-pupil funding allocation is that the adjusted base per pupil calculation will temporarily use the greater of two enrollment figures (i.e., the school's current quarterly enrollment or the enrollment projection used in the legislative-approved PCFP model). 10 charter schools are expected to receive additional funding based on this temporary adjustment.
- Presented on collaboration with the Education Service Center in which the goal is charter school representation while reducing the time burden of reporting requirements by 50% and ensure all reporting improves upon accuracy and quality.
Board Approved an Update on the FuturEdge Closure
Closing Administrator Brandi Adams provided the board with an update on the closure of 100 Academy DBA FuturEdge Charter School.
Closing Administrator Brandi Adams reported that FuturEdge is now financially stable: bills and payroll are being paid and the school is insured. The former management company is still holding about $35,000 in school funds, which she is working to recover. A press release on the closure is targeted for November 1, and the first meeting with families is scheduled for the week of October 12.
Explore the FuturEdge Closure Checklist.
Board Received a Presentation on Indicators of Distress
The board received a presentation from WestEd on research on indicators of distress among charter schools.
Highlights of the presentation included:
- Described the "Death Spiral," a set of stages of decline driven by leadership behaviors. Early warning signs in one area (leadership, board, operations, finance, talent, culture or instruction) often spread to others.
- The presenter encouraged authorizers to focus on factors that have not yet been shown to be a current problem (e.g., a school with strong achievement data may be overlooked for an underlying enrollment issue). Additionally, the presenter urged them to use the performance framework as a tool for addressing challenges rather than as a hurdle.
- Ideally, schools and boards would catch these risks before the authorizer does. Because a focus on compliance can discourage schools from reaching out, recommending that authorizers train boards to serve as the liaison for navigating early risks and "Death Spirals".
Explore the presentation.
Board Approved the 2025-26 Organizational Performance Framework Results
Key results from the 2025-26 Organizational Performance Framework are highlighted below:
- 44 of 48 charter holders were rated in good standing. Four were recommended for a Notice of Concern, and one (Equipo Academy) was recommended to have its existing notice lifted. Three additional charter holders would have received notices but have closed or are in the process of closing.
- This was the first year under the new binary rating (in good standing or issuance of a notice), with schools rated "does not meet" in three or more categories subject to a notice. Staff met with more than 21 schools during the September 9–18 cure period, a period in which schools could address and correct reported ratings, and several ratings improved as a result of these corrections.
- Most compliance issues were in governance and personnel (teacher licensing and endorsements, Open Meeting Law, and holding quarterly board meetings), while on-time submissions improved significantly, aided by a new seven-day grace extension for corrections.
Explore the presentation.
Board Approved Organizational Notices of Concern
Based on ratings from the SPCSA Organizational Performance Framework for school year 2025-2026, SPCSA staff recommended issuing organizational Notices of Concern to four schools (Alpine Academy, Rainbow Dreams Academy, Signature Prep, and Vegas Vista Academy) and removing the Notice of Concern from Equipo Academy due to improved ratings.
Highlights for the actions related to each school can be found below:
- Alpine Academy – Issue Notice of Concern – Unanimous approval
- Equipo Academy – Remove Notice of Concern – Unanimous approval
- Rainbow Dreams Academy – Issue Notice of Concern – Unanimous approval
- Signature Prep – Issue Notice of Concern – Unanimous approval
- Vegas Vista Academy – Issue Notice of Concern – Unanimous approval
Board Approved the 2027 Academic and Demographic Needs Assessment
SPCSA staff provided the board with an update on the 2027 Academic and Demographic Needs Assessment, which the board considered for approval pursuant to NRS 388A.220.
Highlights of the needs assessment included:
- Required under Assembly Bill 462 (2019), the needs assessment identifies underperforming student groups and zip codes with underperforming schools.
- New charter applicants must use it to propose schools that serve those student groups and/or are located in those zip codes, and SPCSA staff use it to evaluate applications and make recommendations to the board.
- Applicants must share more detailed staffing plans, including class sizes and teacher licensing. The board approved the changes
Explore the 2027 Academic and Demographic Needs Assessment.
Board Approved Revisions to the 2027 Charter Application and Rubric
Key revisions to the new charter school application and rubric are highlighted below:
- Deadlines moved up: letters of intent are now due October 31 and applications are due January 31.
- Approved schools will now have about 15 months to prepare before opening, up from 12.
- Updatined the financial plan work book and alignment of language across the guidance document, application & rubric that will not make substantive changes to the process/requirements.
The redline revisions for the New Charter application guidance can be found here.
The redline revisions for the New Charter Application Rubric can be found here.
Explore the presentation.
Board Received an Overview of the Assembly Bill 517 (2023) Legislative Audit
Executive Director Mackedon provided the board with an overview of the legislative audit required under Assembly Bill 517 (2023) and its findings.
Highlights of the audit findings included:
- Auditors found the SPCSA has strong processes for approving and reviewing charter schools.
- The audit revealed the SPCSA should check in more closely between reviews, including reporting on whether teachers are properly licensed.
- Contracts between schools and management companies need closer review, which is now a top priority for SPCSA staff moving forward.
Explore the audit.
Board Received a Presentation on Title I, School Improvement, and the SPCSA Portfolio
SPCSA staff provided the board with an overview of Title I and school improvement and discussed the SPCSA's role in supporting this work across its portfolio of charter schools.
Highlights of the presentation included:
- About 41,000 students at 57 SPCSA campuses attend Title I schools, which received more than $10 million this year
- Ten schools identified for improvement received about $457,000 in extra support.
- About 900 students experiencing homelessness and 100 in foster care receive help with basic needs, school fees, and transportation.
Explore the presentation.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- School star ratings and academic results
- Charter renewals and resubmitted charter applications
- Enrollment data, graduation rates, and Legislative updates
- School financial results and school safety
Explore the calendar.
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Novemeber 13th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
