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SPCSA publishes prekindergarten manual as portfolio expands; staff highlights effective pickup/drop‑off practices
Summary
SPCSA staff reported completion of a prekindergarten manual aligned with Nevada Ready PreK standards, noted that the SPCSA portfolio will include about 450 pre‑K seats this year, and highlighted several schools for strong drop‑off and pickup procedures.
SPCSA staff said the authority finished a prekindergarten manual to guide schools that are adding pre‑K seats and to align SPCSA oversight with Nevada Ready PreK procedures.
During the 2024–25 school year SPCSA staff said two SPCSA schools—Mater Academy and Coral Academy—offered pre‑K seats. In January 2025 the authority approved transfer of sponsorship of Rainbow Dreams Early Learning Academy from Clark County School District to SPCSA; Rainbow Dreams serves more than 200 prekindergarten students. SPCSA staff told the board they expect to have approximately 450 pre‑K seats across the SPCSA portfolio in the coming year.
Manual details: The SPCSA pre‑K manual, staff said, is aligned with Nevada Ready PreK procedures and sets requirements for executive‑director approval to add pre‑K seats. It outlines program quality requirements intended to support achievement and maintenance of a 5‑star program rating, including teacher qualifications, student eligibility, curriculum expectations, and developmentally appropriate environments. SPCSA staff named Connie Zeller as the contractor supporting pre‑K schools and Marina Cutler as leader of the school support team.
School‑level operational highlight: In a separate, short presentation, Director Melissa Mackin asked the site evaluation team to identify schools with notably effective student pickup and drop‑off procedures. Staff named several campuses that demonstrated organized, secure, student‑friendly processes, including clear lane markings, posted protocols shared with families, slow vehicle speeds near drop‑off, and rear‑door student loading for younger children. The board and staff emphasized that these practical procedures are important for safety and daily operations and often go unnoticed when they work well.
Follow up: Board members asked technical questions about manual provisions (class size ratios, supports for students with IEPs and whether self‑contained pre‑K programs would be approved). Director Mackin said the manual drew on Nevada QRIS requirements and that adding pre‑K seats requires executive‑director approval; staff committed to follow up with specific clarifications to board members by email.
