Subcommittee backs most SPCSA staff additions, defers MTSS hire amid grant uncertainty

The joint subcommittees on K-12 and higher education voted to recommend most of the State Public Charter School Authority's (SPCSA) requested reserve reductions to create new staff capacity, but held one proposed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) position for later consideration.

Yuri Yakovlev, LCB Fiscal Analysis Division, told the subcommittees the authority requested use of $3,500,000 in reserves to fund 14 new positions and to continue funding two existing positions to address increased workload as the number of sponsored charter schools and enrollment grow. "The major closing issue is a recommendation to utilize $3,500,000 in reserves for 14 new positions and 2 positions recommended for continued funding to address current and projected workloads due to increases in sponsored schools," Yakovlev said.

Fiscal staff grouped the requested positions into five decision units. The largest package (decision unit E125) would create an education programs director to lead a new monitoring and evaluations team, three management analyst roles (including one to implement a Medicaid billing initiative and another to oversee charter application renewal and performance framework submissions), and two education programs professionals to support special education and MTSS. Yakovlev said the Medicaid billing pilot work program for an electronic records and agent-billing service was recently approved and that the SPCSA has now received provider-enrollment status from the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, enabling the authority to bill for Medicaid-eligible services.

The subcommittee debated the requests in the context of uncertain federal grant funding. Chair Monroe Moreno voiced concern that hiring permanent staff to replace grant-funded contracts could leave the authority exposed if grant funding is reduced. "I don't know how, you know, given direction to staff today of what we should do, but I think we need to be very conservative in what we do do," Monroe Moreno said during deliberations.

After discussion, the subcommittee approved the reserve reductions recommended by staff for decision unit E125 with one exception: the education programs professional (grade 39) assigned to MTSS work, which is currently provided by vendor contract funding, was withheld from recommendation for permanent funding. A motion reflecting that modification was moved by Chair Dondero Loop and seconded by Chair Monroe Moreno; the motion carried.

Other decision units approved or acted on by the subcommittee included: - E126: Two positions approved (an education programs supervisor for on-site evaluations and an education programs professional to support school performance plans and career-technical education work). Members amended discussion to delay adding another supervisory layer in the new monitoring structure, but ultimately approved the recommendation as modified; motion moved by Chair Dondero Loop, seconded by Majority Leader Howdicky, and carried. - E127: Three positions approved (two education programs professionals to assist with Infinite Campus data entry and MTSS support, plus a grants and projects analyst). The MTSS position request was again handled conservatively consistent with prior holds; motion carried after a motion by Assemblymember Torres Fawcett and second by Assemblymember Howdicky. - E128: The subcommittee voted not to recommend E128 at this time because of concerns about grant funding stability; motion to not recommend was moved by Chair Dondero Loop and seconded by Majority Leader Howdicky, and carried. - E129: Two interim positions established during the 2023–24 interim and currently filled were approved to continue in budget (decision unit E129); motion carried.

Fiscal staff also presented seven other technical closing items (removing nonstate rents and erroneously included contract expenses among them). The subcommittee approved closing items 1–5 as recommended and closed items 6–7 with technical adjustments. The public charter school loan program account was closed as recommended by the governor; the motion to close that account carried.

Public commenters raised related concerns. Alexander Marks of the Nevada State Education Association told the subcommittees he was "concerned about the fast growing budget of the state public charter school authority and the schools under its purview" and urged stronger oversight and adherence to growth-management requirements enacted by the Legislature.

The subcommittee repeatedly flagged the risk that positions tied to federal grants or vendor contracts might not be sustainable if grant funding is reduced. Staff noted vendors funded by federal grants generally remain in place through the grant expiration (several contracts were said to expire on Oct. 1, 2025), and that permanent hires could follow later through the Interim Finance Committee or in the next legislative cycle if funding stabilizes.

Looking ahead, fiscal staff retained authority to make technical adjustments as needed before the recommendations go to the full joint committees.