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Board approves conditional restart for Sierra Nevada Academy (SNACS) with governance changes
Summary
Washoe trustees approved a conditional restart for Sierra Nevada Academy (SNACS) under a new charter, requiring a diagnostic review, two new governing-board members (one with academic-improvement expertise and one with operations/finance/legal/HR expertise), and other conditions to be met by January 30, 2026.
The Washoe County School District board voted Nov. 18, 2025 to allow Sierra Nevada Academy (SNACS) to restart under a new charter contract with explicit conditions intended to support improvement, district staff said.
District staff presented SNACS's performance data (elementary level met three consecutive 1-star ratings), demographic context (SNACS serves a high proportion of students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch and a higher-than-average proportion of high-risk students), and recent improvement efforts. Laura Davidson, the district's director of research and evaluation, said some indicators are improving but SNACS did not meet SB 460 exemption thresholds.
Area Superintendent Melinda Baker told trustees the restart recommendation includes reconstituting the SNACS governing body with at least two new members (one expert in academic improvement, one with operations/finance/legal/HR expertise), securing an academic consultant, obtaining an administrative mentor or new administrator with special-education expertise, and conducting a diagnostic review with stakeholder input. Staff recommended a January 30 deadline for the diagnostic and restart milestones; a restart application would be due Feb. 20 and a district review completed by March 20 before a return to the board in April.
Dr. Kimberly Regan, SNACS's CEO, described changes already underway, citing reductions in suspensions (from 109 to 25, a 77% decrease), growth in ELA and English-language-learner metrics, and investments in school culture. "We do concur with the recommendations and have already begun our diagnostic review," Dr. Regan said.
Trustee Dr. Nicolette moved the restart motion and Clerk Woodley seconded. The motion included increasing stakeholder communication to 14 calendar days for the holiday period; the board approved the restart conditions (voice vote recorded as carried). The board emphasized balancing the statutory requirement with minimizing disruption to families.
Next steps: SNACS will proceed with the diagnostic review, begin recruitment or appointment of governing-board members per the conditions, procure required supports, and return to the board with a proposed new charter contract in April.
(Reporting provenance: SNACS presentation and motion: Washoe County School District Board meeting, SEG 2094 ' SEG 3161.)
