SPCSA approves closure of Sage Collegiate and names closing administrator after public comment alleging notice violations

The State Public Charter School Authority board on Tuesday approved the voluntary surrender of Sage Collegiate’s charter and appointed Josh Kern of Ten Square as the school’s closing administrator, giving him immediate authority over the school’s finances during the closure process.

Director Melissa Mackedon told the board that Sage Collegiate’s governing board voted on April 14, 2026, to permanently close the brick-and-mortar school after the 2025–26 school year. SPCSA staff recommended the appointment of Kern and said he is required under NRS 388A.306 to develop and present a written closure plan.

The vote to accept the governing board’s action and approve Kern’s appointment was moved by Member Shante Rosales and seconded by Member Richards; the motion carried unanimously.

Before the board took action, Avalon Caringa called in during the public comment period to say the April 14 Sage Collegiate meeting was held “in complete disregard to Nevada open meeting law,” and that the agenda did not properly disclose an agenda item to dissolve the charter. Caringa also said the Attorney General’s facts and findings file number 13897-554 was not on the meeting agenda and that supporting materials for agenda items seven and eight were still outstanding. “I’m still awaiting supporting materials for items number seven and eight,” Caringa said, and asked the SPCSA to table action until the board has held a meeting in accordance with open meeting law.

Caringa additionally told the board she had “no concern with the school dissolving its charter,” but said she was concerned that at the same meeting the governing board had voted to extend the contract of Sandra Kinney “to allow her to repay a personal loan that she took out of school funds,” and that none of these items were clearly listed on the agenda.

SPCSA staff told the board they support Sage Collegiate’s decision to close and recommended approval of Kern as closing administrator, saying he will oversee the closure process “with fidelity” and that the closing administrator will present a written closure plan in a future SPCSA meeting. The staff memo cited NRS 388A.306 as the statutory basis for the appointment.

Sage Collegiate serves 244 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, according to the staff report. SPCSA staff said Kern will assume decision-making authority over financial matters immediately upon board approval.

The board did not explicitly respond to Caringa’s allegations about meeting notice or the Attorney General file in the public record during the meeting; the motion proceeded and passed. The board’s approval closes agenda item six.

The SPCSA staff memo on the closure includes a proposed motion and references to statutory requirements; staff said they would support students, staff and families during the shutdown and that Kern will present a closure plan in the coming months.

Action taken: motion to accept the Sage Collegiate governing board’s voluntary surrender of its charter and to approve Josh Kern as the closing administrator; mover: Member Shante Rosales; second: Member Richards; outcome: approved (unanimous).

Next steps: SPCSA staff and the appointed closing administrator are expected to complete and present a written closure plan to the board in a future meeting.