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.
Friday, March 13, 2026
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Board Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights included:
- Updated condition deadlines for new schools approved during the 2026 New Charter Application Cycle and deferring opening to the 2027-28 school year: Somerset Academy of Carson City and Pahrump Valley Charter School
- Updated Financial Performance Framework results
- Several charter school amendment applications for reduced enrollment caps
Explore the consent agenda items.
SPCSA Executive Director's Report
Highlights from the report include:
- School Highlight: Signature Preparatory Academy has a low chronic absenteeism rate. For the second consecutive year, both elementary and middle school grades registered rates below 5%.
- Delinquent Schools PERS Updates: The updated balance can be found in the report.
- New Schools Update: Wildflower Montessori continues to work toward finalizing facilities. SPCSA staff also continues to meet with schools on a two-year incubation period.
- Current events in the Charter Space: SPCSA team members have appeared before several public meetings, school visits, and other activities and events. Additional information about each of these current events and meetings can be found in the report.
Board Received an Update on Academies of Math and Science (AMS) Nellis' Campus
SPCSA staff provided an update regarding AMS' activities as they prepare to open in Fall of 2026. Highlights of the presentation included:
- AMS Nellis' first board meeting was held on March 10, with assigned positions, and the school is working on the calendar for future board meetings.
- 90% of the desired roles have been posted, currently searching for the Executive Director of Schools role.
- 186 of the current students at Nevada Prep plan to return to AMS (enrollment lottery is April 2). They suspect that, due to out-of-date phone numbers, some old-fashioned recruitment methods (i.e., flyers) will bolster this number in the weeks to come.
Board Took Action on Charter School Contract Amendment Applications
The board approved Mater Academy of Nevada's request to acquire/occupy a new facility at 2025 E. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104; to construct a new facility at 6418 E. Vegas Valley Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89142, and to expand enrollment in existing grade levels at its East campus as part of the expansion to additional facilities. Explore the recommendation memo.
The board approved Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Virtual Campus' request to expand enrollment in existing grade levels from 140 to 182 students. Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Took Action on Items Relating to Democracy Prep at the Agassi Campus
The Board approved the plan for Democracy Prep at the Agassi Campus to transition from a Charter Management Organization model under Democracy Prep to an independent school.
The Board approved the FY2026 Financial Performance Framework Ratings for the campus.
Explore the recommendation memo, transition plan, and Financial Performance Framework results.
Long-Range Calendar (next 3 months):
Agenda items over the next three SPCSA board meetings are anticipated to include:
- Charter school contract amendments
- Language Access Plan
- Revolving loan application recommendations
Explore the calendar.
Public Comment
Public comment highlights included:
- Concern regarding the approved acquisition of facilities, that local workers will have priority to be involved in working on the projects.
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
