Nevada city approves first charter school 

Henderson, Nevada, will welcome its first city-approved charter school in 2026 after the city council unanimously voted to authorize it in a special meeting.

“Quality education is a strategic priority for our city, and we take an active role in supporting Henderson schools, staff, and students,” Mayor Michelle Romero said. “As a council, we feel strongly that cities should have greater control over education in their communities, and this is a major step toward that goal.”

Last week’s vote to approve Kesher Academy comes after the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 400 in 2023 giving municipalities the power to oversee charter schools.

The city received four applications to open a charter school. Officials evaluated them on student enrollment plans, academic and operational goals, financial sustainability and alignment with Henderson’s mission and values.

Kesher Academy was the only school approved, though other applicants can revise and resubmit applications within 30 days. The council would reconsider those proposals at a later meeting.

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools operating independently under contracts with authorizing agencies. Henderson can now approve, monitor or close the schools based on performance, joining other Nevada cities with similar authority.

The state’s Democrat-controlled state assembly had tried to withhold a pay raise for charter-school teachers earlier this year, a move Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo blasted.

“I’ve been clear and consistent on this,” Lombardo said. “I will not sign an education budget that does not include equal pay for public charter school teachers and make teacher pay raises, including those for charter school teachers, permanent.

“Further, I will veto any education budget bill that falls short of addressing a serious need for accountability, transparency and real parental choice. All 63 legislators have been aware of my position for months, and it is my expectation that they will pass a bill that improves education for all Nevada children.”

The assembly eventually sent Lombardo a measure giving charter-school teachers about $38 million in raises over two years.

“After the legislature took the final vote to give permanent pay raises to all charter school teachers, I signed the education budget,” Lombardo said in a May statement. “I’m proud to say that now, all public school teachers will now be on an equal playing field. Nevadans can rest assured that I will continue my efforts, in collaboration with the legislature, to expand accountability, transparency and real parental choice this session.”