State officials scrutinize 10 Clark County charter schools over financial issues

Joshua Peguero
·2 min read

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Nevada has dozens of charter schools, but a state agency is focusing on a number of them experiencing some financial troubles.

The State Public Charter School Authority is planning to increase its scrutiny of 10 schools in Clark County, mostly due to concerns over the debt they carry.

Nevada Prep Charter School located near Nellis and Lake Mead boulevards is one of those schools.

“We have made every monthly payment since I’ve gotten here, we are not at risk,” Nevada Prep Executive Director John Haynal said. “We have the funding and the budget to go ahead and finish the year in good standing.”

Haynal spoke with 8 News Now before Friday’s SPCSA meeting.

“The problems of the past, belong in the past and we’re working on them together. But we’re happy to say we’re going to be here for a long time,” Haynal said.

A plan submitted to the State Public Charter School Authority shows Nevada Prep laid off five of its staff and eliminated housekeeping, landscaping, and pest control to help with its money issues.

“They received a total of six deductions primarily due to late submission of required reports and documents, including some really important items,” SPCSA director Katie Broughton said.

According to its most recent tax filing, Nevada Prep reported a loss of more than $900,000.

As of Friday, the school owes $466,000 to the state’s teacher pension fund, which is called PERS.

Nevada Prep Principal Jeffrey McAlpine says he’s confident they can turn things around.

“Our focus is on great instruction and getting kids to learn as much as they can in the time we have with them,” McAlpine said.

Including Nevada Prep, a total of 10 schools in Clark County left Friday’s SPCSA meeting with an issue of concern.

  • Battle Born Academy

  • CIVICA Academy

  • Democracy Prep

  • Discovery Charter School

  • Mater Academy of Nevada

  • pilotED Cactus Park

  • Sage Collegiate

  • Signature Preparatory

  • Sports Leadership and Management Academy

Democracy Prep High School nearly closed until the Andre Agassi Foundation stepped in with a donation.

Sage Collegiate, which opened in January of 2023, is carrying debt from its opening, and due to low enrollment, is in a difficult financial situation, according to SPCSA.

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