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, May 30, 2025
State Public Charter School Authority Board Meeting
Access the meeting agenda and playback.
What happened at this meeting?
Public Comments
Public comments included:
- Operational framework performance results and how they relate to facility financing for charter school campuses
- Support for Nevada Prep Charter School
- Support for Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence
Additional public comments submitted via email were posted on the SPCSA website.
Board Approved the Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights included:
- April 18, 2025 meeting minutes
- Amendment application for Sage Collegiate’s enrollment cap
SPCSA Executive Director’s Report
Report highlights included:
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- School Highlight: Pinecrest Academy of Nevada’s Springs campus demonstrated a positive school culture and climate from different focus groups, including families, staff, and students.
- Employee Appreciation: Governor Lombardo recognized Danny Peltier and Karie Sarabia, both employees of the SPCSA, during May’s Employee Appreciation Month. Additionally, May 30, 2025, was proclaimed as a Day in Honor of Jennifer Bauer by Governor Lombardo, in honor of Bauer’s retirement and 29 years of service.
- Delinquent Schools’ PERS Contributions: Nevada Prep received correspondence that payments from March 2025 on were beneath the payment threshold. Sage Collegiate has paid on its balance, as of May 1, 2025. Learn more about this item.
- Legislative Update: The SPCSA’s bill has passed both the Senate and the Assembly. Several other bills relating to charter schools are being held in the last days of the session, and can be explored here.
- New Charter School Applications Received: Seven applications have been received, and redacted versions are now available to view on the SPCSA site for public input. Recommendations will be brought to the board in August.
- Announcement of New Student Representative: Odalis Ayala from Equipo Academy will serve as the student representative on the SPCSA board for the coming school year.
- Current Events in Public Education: The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 4-4 decision in the St. Isidore of Seville vs. Oklahoma case.
Board Received an Update on TEACH & Eagle Closures
Josh Kern, closing administrator, provided an update on both TEACH and Eagle Charter Schools. There a few key issues that have arisen, leading to the timeline of these closing matters being extended.
Eagle Charter Schools had incomplete and inaccurate financial records, with issues identified with accounting practices. This required additional time and efforts to resolve, including issuing W2s to former staff members. Identifying secured and priority creditors for both schools has been a challenge but has been resolved, as of last week. Final payments should be made in June 2025, and a final report will be made in September 2025.
Board Received an Update on the Nevada Facilities Fund
Opportunity 180 presented an update on the Nevada Facilities Fund, a public-private partnership that provides a dedicated facility funding resource to Nevada charter schools. The fund has closed three loans: Futuro Academy, Mariposa Language and Learning Academy, and Beacon Academy of Nevada. There are three schools in diligence for the Facilities Fund. Additionally, one school has received a lease guarantee through the Nevada Facility Solutions’ lease guarantee program.
Explore the presentation.
Board Received a New Schools Update from Nevada Classical Academy – Elko and WYLEES
Nevada Classical Academy – Elko has 88 fully enrolled students, and the facility is up-to-date and ready to go, with painting happening next week. Furniture and fixtures are scheduled to be delivered in July, on schedule. Teachers and support staff have been hired, and training begins in June.
WYLEES has 172 fully enrolled students. The facility is located at the Boulevard Mall, and renovations are underway. Staffing plans are on schedule, with a number of positions hired; July 14 will be the first day for teachers.
Board Approved a Request to Alter Grade Offerings for Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence
The Board approved Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence’s request to modify grade level offerings with conditions. The school was originally approved to open with the grade levels of kindergarten, first, second, and sixth. It was approved to add grades three and seven for the school year in April, and is now approved for grades K-8.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Received Presentations from CCSD School Transfers to SPCSA
The Delta Academy seeks to empower future leaders through innovation and education, through strong partnerships and resources to meet academic and personal goals. The school’s virtual program serves a wide variety of students. Its goals are to enhance education programs, improve facilities (including a CTE building, gym, and auditorium), and improve the school’s star rating for its middle and high schools.
Rainbow Dreams Early Learning Academy serves ages 3-6, with a potential expansion to second grade students, with a focus on removing barriers to educational equity and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. Learn more about the school.
FuturEdge Academy blends STEAM education with a focus on digital resources and skills, providing personalized instruction, hands-on projects, and real-world applications. Its goals are to increase ELA CRT to 40% and Math CRT to 30%. Learn more about the school.
Innovations International Charter School is a K-12 school with a mission to provide a safe learning community, empowering responsible citizens. Its graduation rate is >95%, and the school is applying to the Nevada Governor’s Office in December for STEM Accreditation. Learn more about the school.
Board Received an Update on the Charter School Program Grant & the Good to Great Program
Opportunity 180 provided an update on the Good to Great program. The program provides instructional leadership for charter schools in Opportunity 180’s portfolio. Launched in fall 2024, six schools have participated in the pilot program, with the aim to greater collaboration, more sharing of best practices, and improved outcomes for schools. Additional schools will be participating in Year 2, which will also include a cohort element to the work for increased collaboration, as well as external partners to support with the volume of participating schools.
Opportunity 180 is in the process of applying for the federal Charter School Program grant, which would help support the work for schools that are subgrantees, and the technical assistance strategy will continue to expand upon the Good to Great work to reach a wider group of schools.
Explore the presentation.
Board Approved a Notice of Concern to Nevada Prep Charter School
The Board approved continuing a Notice of Concern to Nevada Prep Charter School, with additional monitoring by SPCSA Staff, including submitting and amending budgets, submitting monthly budget to actual reporting, providing monthly evidence of PERS payments, and providing ongoing access to accounting and financial records as requested by SPCSA staff.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Board Approved a Notice of Concern to Sage Collegiate Public Charter School
The Board approved continuing a Notice of Concern to Sage Collegiate Public Charter School, with additional monitoring by SPCSA Staff, including submitting and amending budgets, submitting monthly budget to actual reporting, providing monthly evidence of PERS payments, and providing ongoing access to accounting and financial records as requested by SPCSA staff.
Explore the recommendation memo.
Long-Term Calendar
At the next meeting, the Board will hold Board elections and consider charter school amendment contracts, hear a legislative update, a CSP Grant overview, and new schools update. There will also be an update from schools in the competency-based education pilot program.
Explore the calendar.
The next Meeting of the SPCSA Board is scheduled for Friday, June 27, @ 9:00 a.m.
