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Board reinstates Homeschool Assistance Program; administration to develop handbook, hire part‑time instructor
Summary
The board voted to reinstate a homeschool assistance program (HSAP). Administration will prepare a handbook, advertise for a certified teacher paid on an hourly basis, and return with program details. District staff said the program is structured to roughly break even under current state funding rules.
The Nevada Community School District Board of Education voted July 7 to reinstate a Homeschool Assistance Program (HSAP) and directed administration to create program materials, advertise for a certified, hourly instructor and return with operational details.
Administrators told the board the program model shared by neighboring districts typically pays a certified teacher about $35 per hour, up to two hours per student per week, and that state funding for a homeschool assistance participant is 0.3 full‑time equivalent (FTE) per student. “If we have a homeschool student enrolled in this program, we would get 0.3 for their state funding. As opposed to students that go to Nevada schools,” an administrator said, explaining the funding difference between a full‑time enrolled student and an HSAP participant.
The board discussed implementation timing, possible caps and whether the program would require district space. Administrators said the first step is developing a handbook and posting a position for a certified teacher; if enrollment is low, the district would not incur teacher pay obligations. “If we don't have any students, then we wouldn't be paying anything out,” the administrator said.
Administrators referenced peers — Roland‑Story and Ballard districts — which reported the model can break even with the 0.3 funding when paying an hourly rate and limiting district materials support. District staff proposed initial materials allowances and said some grade‑level materials could be loaned from district inventory if requested.
Board members raised timing concerns given the proximity to the school year; administration said word‑of‑mouth in homeschool networks often spreads quickly and that sign‑ups in a first year are typically modest. The board approved the motion to reinstate the HSAP and asked administration to return with a handbook, hiring proposal and operating procedures.
Key program details discussed at the meeting: district funding for an HSAP participant is 0.3 FTE (as referenced by administration); a suggested instructional pay rate is $35 per hour for up to two hours weekly per student; materials allowances were discussed (examples in packet) and the district would not initially build an extensive resource library.
Administrators said they will bring a more detailed handbook and a potential hire to the board for final approval.
