Board to discuss charter school applications

The fate of two proposed charter schools will soon be decided.

Trustees are scheduled to vote on whether to approve the applications at tonight's Carson City School Board meeting, which is open to public comment.

Last month, two applications for charter schools were submitted to the school district. One is for a Carson Montessori School, which would replace an already operating private school, Educare School and Day Care.

The other is for an online high school that would specialize in at-risk youth, Silver State Charter High School.

According to Nevada law, school boards can approve charter schools only if they meet all requirements. A written notice of approval or denial must be issued.

If trustees decide to deny the request, they must identify all deficiencies in the application. The applicant is then given 30 to correct those deficiencies and resubmit the application.

If the applicant is again denied, the organizers of the charter school may apply for sponsorship from the State Department of Education within the next 30 days.

If the charter schools are approved, students who choose to attend will take with them the amount of money the state would have given the school district for that student.

This year, Nevada schools receive $4,873 for each pupil enrolled.

Joan Lepas, director of Educare School, said she expects the 30 students already enrolled in her private school to make the transition into the charter school, which will be held at the same location on Lone Mountain Drive. She estimates her capacity to be 50 students and plans to accept applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Steve Knight, who is proposing the Silver State Charter High School, said he plans to begin with a teaching staff of six members and serve students who have already dropped out or who plan to drop out of the Carson City School District.

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.