Henderson council approves Kesher Academy and denies three charter applications, offering 30‑day resubmission window

Henderson Mayor Debra Romero and the City Council on Aug. 5 approved one charter school application and denied three others, with staff telling applicants that a formal 30‑day resubmission window will follow each denial.

The council voted to authorize Kesher Academy, a Hebrew‑language immersion public charter that staff said met standards in all review categories. Mike Dang, the city’s charter school sponsoring officer, told the council Kesher submitted written evidence of parent and student interest encompassing roughly 70% of proposed year‑one enrollment and presented a recruitment plan targeted at underserved and multilingual families. "They clearly outline how curriculum materials are aligned to the Nevada academic content standards," Dang said.

Kesher lead petitioner Josh Stock said the school will use project‑based learning and social‑emotional supports and reiterated that the charter contract will require nonsectarian programming. "Kesher is designed to fill a gap—not replace existing schools—but to add a meaningful option rooted in connection," Stock said. Council members asked for clarity about optics around Hebrew instruction; staff confirmed a nonsectarian condition will be required in the charter contract. The motion to approve Kesher carried with all members voting in favor.

Council…