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State public charter school authority seeks $17M for transportation; loan fund restoration proposed
Summary
The State Public Charter School Authority asked Senate Finance for a one‑time $17 million appropriation to fund transportation services for charter school students; the SPCSA also requested $400,000 to restore a revolving loan account for charter school startups.
Officials from the State Public Charter School Authority presented two related funding requests to the Senate Finance Committee.
Senate Bill 468 requests a one‑time appropriation of $17,000,000 to the SPCSA for transportation services for students enrolled at public charter schools. Melissa MacKedon of the SPCSA said the appropriation was originally recommended for the Pupil‑Centered Funding Plan but was removed and resubmitted as a one‑time award. MacKedon told the committee the SPCSA intends to award funds on a competitive basis "in accordance with NRS 388.393936," using a structured application and predetermined scoring rubric. She said priorities for awards would be: 1) maintaining existing services, 2) funding new transportation programs with preference to Title I schools, and 3) expanding existing programs. MacKedon said 23 charter holders serving 27 campuses received awards in FY25 and SPCSA "ran out of money" before serving all applicants.
Senate Bill 470 requests a one‑time $400,000 appropriation to restore a revolving loan account for charter schools. MacKedon said the loan program makes short‑term loans (up to $500 per pupil, capped at $200,000 per school) to help schools with pre‑opening cash flow (furniture, equipment, supplies) until they receive state payments. The SPCSA reported approximately $265,000 currently available in the account and said without the request it could only fully fund one more loan.
William Horn of Western Public Affairs, representing the Charter Schools Association of Nevada, testified in support of the transportation appropriation.
Why it matters: The transportation appropriation targets equity for charter school students who lack reliable bus options; the loan account provides start‑up cash flow to ensure newly chartered schools can open on schedule.
Provenance: SPCSA staff presented both items; committee members asked operational questions about providers, number of schools served and repayment mechanics for loans.
