Nova Smart Academy founders seek approval after reworking application; focus on English learners, special education, facilities and finance

Proposed Nova Smart Academy executive director Jeremy Sager told a Rutherford County Schools committee that the charter applicant revised its proposal after the district and state raised financial and programmatic concerns last year.

Sager said the team revised its calendar from a year-round to a traditional 180-day schedule, clarified several instructional innovations and strengthened its financial and governance capacity. “We believe that college and career begin in kindergarten,” Sager said, describing the school’s emphasis on early career and college exploration. He said the applicant now projects a larger share of English learners in its opening cohorts and has adjusted staffing and program plans accordingly.

The committee pressed the group on classroom supports and compliance. Mark Gullion, director of special populations and federal programs for Rutherford County Schools, led questions about services for English learners and students with disabilities and asked for detail on assessment and intervention systems. Sager and his team said they will use MAP as a baseline assessment, FastBridge for screening and progress monitoring, and a tiered MTSS/RTI model with weekly progress checks for students receiving extra support. “We’re going to take the MAP assessment. We’re going to also do some progress monitoring,” Sager said.

On English-learner services, the applicants told the committee they plan a structured English immersion model and to hire two dedicated EL teachers in year one: one to push into core classes and one for the SIO (structured immersion) class. The team said Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) for ELs will be maintained by…