Charter school approved for move

By the first day of school next year, Silver State Charter School should be operating at its new location on Mallory Way.

"We're delighted," said Steve Knight, superintendent and founder of the school. "We've got some final financing steps to go through, but this is exciting he said."

City supervisors granted the school the zoning change needed to move its campus into the mostly light industrial area on Fairview Drive and Mallory Way.

"It's a great school," Knight told supervisors. "We've got great kids, and this is a great location."

Silver State High School opened its doors in 2003 as a hybrid charter school where students take courses online and attend classes at the school once a week. In 2009, the school expanded to junior high students.

With no room to expand at its current location with 16,000 square feet in a strip mall at 3719 N. Carson St., officials began a few years ago trying to find an alternative location.

In May 2009, the school went before the Carson City Airport Authority with plans to build a 65,000-square-foot campus.

The airport authority denied the school's plan, citing safety concerns. School officials said they resolved the concerns, and the planning commission approved the special-use permit in December 2009.

City supervisors overturned that decision in January 2010 after hearing protests from the airport

Although some neighboring Mallory Way businesses spoke out against the school at the planning commission meeting last month, none voiced opposition before the supervisors.

Attorney Alicia Johnson, from Allison MacKenzie law firm, spoke on behalf of the owners of Mallory Way. Although they initially opposed the school, she said they had a change of heart after meeting with school staff and coming to an agreement about road maintenance.

"They are now willing to give full support to the school today," she told supervisors.

The 70,000-square-foot campus will better accommodate growth, Knight said. With about 500 students currently enrolled, he hopes to see it expand to around 1,000 in coming years.

It also will better serve students as they will have an onsite theater and be closer to recreation areas where they can fulfill their P.E. requirements.

The board voted 4-1 in favor of the school, with John McKenna opposing.

"My vote today has nothing to do with Silver State," he explained. "I think this is spot zoning. I think the entire area should be rezoned or none of it."

Although Mayor Bob Crowell voiced concern over one more business leaving the north end of the city, he said he was in favor of the move.

"This could be a help to this little section of the community," he said.