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Board approves restart charter contract for Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School
Summary
The Washoe County School District Board approved a restart charter contract for Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School that ties continued sponsorship to performance targets, increased monitoring and timely deliverables; trustees also discussed a possible sponsorship fee increase to 2%.
The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees on June 23 approved a restart charter contract for Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School (SNACS) that requires the school to earn a minimum of 27 Nevada School Performance Framework index points — the bottom of a two‑star rating — within two years, and establishes enhanced district monitoring and compliance requirements.
District presenters Chris Hackbarth, chief academic officer for secondary, and Nicole Johnson, director of secondary academics and assessment, told trustees the contract bundles two documents used with all sponsored charter schools: the district’s charter school performance framework and the SNACS School Performance Management Plan. "This plan is the work that Dr. Reagan and her team and her consultant put in to come up with some action steps to help guide them towards earning the two stars," Hackbarth said during the presentation.
The restart contract sets a clear remediation path: staff will conduct two additional site visits each year, SNACS must provide bi‑monthly progress check‑ins on its improvement plan, and the charter may be found in breach if it accrues three minor violations or a single material failure that jeopardizes federal, state, or district funding. District staff also recommended, and trustees discussed, a possible increase in the charter sponsorship fee from 1.5% to 2.0% annually.
Public commenters representing SNACS described recent academic and climate gains. Teacher Tamara Gavin told the board she saw strong classroom engagement and significant i‑Ready growth: "I am very confident that Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School can earn two stars on the NSPF." Robert Engles, associate director of SNACS, cited internal metrics showing improved i‑Ready proficiency and discipline reductions: "Major discipline incidents over the last 2 years reduced from 83 to 16. That is an 81% reduction." Eduardo Martinez, speaking for Western Public Affairs and the Charter School Association of Nevada, said his groups supported the superintendent’s recommendation.
Vice President Woodly moved the motion to approve the restart contract; Trustee Westlake seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the restart charter contract and its performance‑based termination provisions.
The board’s action directs district staff to implement the restart contract, monitor SNACS under the stated timelines and report back on compliance and progress toward the 27‑point goal.
