State-sponsored charter schools still have problems

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006 | 8:21 a.m.

The Nevada Board of Education has new authority to turn down charter school applications, thanks to a change in the state law by the 2005 Legislature.

But the change comes too late to undo the problems that have come with two state-sponsored charter schools, approved when the education board had no other choice, board member Cliff Ferry said.

"Would I have liked to have the power we have now back then?" asked Ferry, who heads the charter schools committee. "Yes."

Prior to the 2005 legislative session, Nevada's charter schools law stated that the State Board of Education "shall approve" charter school applications provided statutory requirements had been met.

Assembly Bill 168 successfully changed the phrase to "may approve," giving the state board more leeway to turn down requests for sponsorship.

The state currently sponsors four charter schools: Halima Academy and Team A Academy, serving Northern Nevada; Silver State High School, a distance education program; and Nevada State High School, a dual-credit program with the state college campus in Henderson.

All four programs were first rejected by local school boards before turning to the state for sponsorship.

While Silver State and Nevada State high schools were cited for minor deficiencies that have since been corrected, Halima and Team A have struggled since their inception to meet state requirements. They have been trying to correct numerous problems.

Halima Academy, which serves pregnant students and teens with young children in Reno, has been cited by the state for a variety of issues in recent years. In an audit earlier this year, the state was only able to verify that 23 of the school's 79 students were receiving the minimum amount of daily instruction to qualify for per-pupil funding. The latest report found the school had failed to maintain records of the academic credits students had earned before enrolling at Halima.

Team A Academy failed to retain licensed teachers for its core subjects, according to a report prepared for the education board. The program's automotive instructor also lacks the required credentials, a problem first brought to his attention in 2001 when he worked with Team A's founder at a now defunct charter school in Fallon.

Ferry believes Team A "is on the right track" and that Silver State High School will also continue to improve its operations. Halima Academy, however, is "another story," Ferry said.

"The school has had a lot of time to make things right, we've given them plenty of opportunities," Ferry said. "If we don't see dramatic improvements at the next meeting we're going to have to look at more powerful action."

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The names of the six finalists for Clark County schools superintendent will be released by 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 -- approximately 48 hours before the interviews begin. School Board members will be given the list of names that morning.

The public is invited to observe the interviews, which will be conducted Jan. 9 and 10 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at KLVX Channel 10, 4210 Channel 10 Drive off Flamingo Road in Las Vegas. Seating in the studio is limited and the interviews will be broadcast live on Cox Cable. Viewing will also be available at all of the district's regional centers.

People will also get the chance to ask their own questions of the candidates, albeit over cheese and crackers. Receptions will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11 and again from 5 to 9 p.m. at both the district's administrative center, 5100 W. Sahara Ave. and the Curriculum and Professional Development Center, 3950 Pecos-McLeod. Three candidates will be at each location for the morning and afternoon receptions.

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On Jan. 7, antique cars and hot rods will fill the parking lot of the Burk Horizon / Southwest Sunset High School, an alternative program that allows students to make up lost credits and earn their diplomas. The classic car show will be free and open to the pubilc. Proceeds from the cost of the entry fees -- $25 per vehicle and $40 per vendor -- will go to support the school's student programs. To register a car or reserve vendor space, call 799-8150 ext. 4100. Information can also be found online at www.ccsd.net/ schools/ burkacademic.

Emily Richmond can be reached at 259-8829 or l at emily@ lasvegassun.com.