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Board approves restart conditions for Sierra Nevada Academy after three 1-star ratings
Summary
Washoe trustees unanimously approved a conditional restart for Sierra Nevada Academy (SNACS), asking the school to reconstitute its governing board, obtain an academic consultant and complete a diagnostic review by Jan. 30 with stakeholder outreach within 14 days.
The Washoe County School District board on Nov. 18 voted to restart Sierra Nevada Academy (SNACS) under a new charter contract with specific conditions aimed at accelerating academic improvement at the elementary level.
District staff reminded trustees that state law (NRS 388A.300) requires sponsors to either terminate or restart a charter with three consecutive 1-star Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) ratings. Staff said SNACS did not meet the statutory exemptions created by SB 460.
Dr. Kimberly Regan, SNACS CEO, said the school had already begun a deep diagnostic review and leadership changes intended to improve academic outcomes and school climate. She highlighted reductions in suspensions and reported increases in several ELA-growth and WIDA (English-language) measures: "ELA adequate growth percentile increased from 24 to 35.2%... Access WIDA adequate growth percentile increased from 8.3 to 37.5%," Regan said, noting the school's ongoing efforts to address math, science and chronic absenteeism.
Staff recommended restart with conditions including a diagnostic needs assessment with stakeholder input and root-cause analysis, reconstitution of the governing body with at least two new members (one with academic improvement expertise and one with operations/finance/HR expertise), either a new administrator with academic improvement experience or an administrative mentor, and procurement of an academic consultant. Staff proposed deadlines to notify the community (14 calendar days) and to meet restart conditions by Jan. 30 so the district can review an application and return to the board in April.
Trustee Nicolette moved the restart motion, Clerk Woodley seconded, and trustees voted in favor. The board also explicitly extended the stakeholder communication window to 14 calendar days to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday.
Next steps: SNACS will finish the diagnostic work, begin board membership changes and secure the consultant and mentor/administrator support called for in the conditions, and then present a restart application to the district for expedited review and a planned April board decision.
