Charter school needs corrective action

As a result of an evaluation by Douglas County School District officials, Sierra Crest Academy of Minden was shown not to be in compliance with education requirements for the second year in a row.

Any school district that sponsors a charter school must by law submit an annual report of its progress, and as a result of an audit in May, the charter school was found to have several areas of non-compliance.

Even though Sierra Crest was included with the rest of Douglas County schools designated with adequate yearly progress, non-compliance is a different thing, according to Dr. Janice Florey, director of grants and assessments.

Adequate yearly progress takes attendance, which must be at least 90 percent, as well as the students' criterion-referenced test scores (how well they learned a specific subject), into account. The charter school's students' performance in these areas was sufficient to be ranked adequate with the rest of the county schools.

"Non-compliance has to do with teaching curriculum and following the regulations all schools must follow," said Florey. "The audit was far more extensive."

The findings of the audit prompted the school board to require Sierra Crest to develop and implement a corrective action plan.

Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bryant said while the school's insurance and finances are in order, there are problems stemming around curriculum and instruction.

"We gave them suggestions and offered assistance but they didn't avail themselves to that assistance," said Bryant. "Last year we didn't require a plan but this year we're mandating a plan to come to compliance."

Ricci Rodriguez-Elkins, interim administrator at Sierra Crest, said although the students made adequate status on the yearly progress report, other problems appeared during the audit.

"The issues were about record-keeping," Rodriguez-Elkins said. "Academically the kids made the AYP goal but the frustrating part was that record-keeping-wise we didn't do what we were supposed to do.

"As soon as were monitored, we knew there were things of concern. We tired to correct some right away and we've spent a lot of time since hiring new staff. We're excited about their potential, enthusiasm and commitment," she said.

Besides hiring new science and social studies teachers, Sierra Crest Academy has a new formal administrator who just moved to Carson Valley from Baltimore.

In addition to his duties as administrator, Dave Brackett will teach math at the charter school. Brackett studied at Johns Hopkins University where he was the assistant baseball coach. He holds a master's degree in educational administration.

"We knew what we wanted when we wrote our charter, the school board approved it, and Dave will help," said Rodriguez-Elkins. "He'll have the authority to say, 'You have to do it this way.'

"We had obvious curriculum-related problems. To correct them is all very doable. This is a recommitment to our charter."

Bryant requires the school to present the corrective action plan by Sept. 15 and the school will have 60 days to meet compliance.

Another monitoring audit will take place by Jan. 1, 2007. A report will be made to the school board which will review the school's progress and decide if the school district wants to continue Sierra Crest Academy's sponsorship.