Nevada

Indy Q&A: Former director on charter schools’ growth, diversification since 2019 – The Nevada Independent

Published

1 year ago

September 11, 2023

Indy Q&A: Former director on charter schools’ growth, diversification since 2019 – The Nevada Independent

The leader of the State Public Charter School Authority stepped down last Friday after about four years in the role and moving onto a new role where she will get to work on developing new education leaders nationwide.

During an interview with The Nevada Independent last week, Rebecca Feiden said much of her term as the executive director of the state agency was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began about a year after she was appointed to the role.

Like other public schools, charter schools shut down after the COVID-19 outbreak during the 2019-20 school year. While other large school districts across the country, including the Clark County School District, decided to offer classes virtually the following school year as a safety precaution, Feiden said some Nevada charter schools, which are governed by individual boards that often oversee a single campus or a few campuses, went against the grain and reopened partially or completely.

Feiden said these decisions were made thoughtfully, and reinforced her belief in charter schools as more nimble systems that are able to respond to their communities faster than large systems where school boards often make decisions that affect hundreds of campuses.

“As a former educator, as a former assistant principal, one of the things that I really believe is that the people who are on the ground working with kids every day, talking to parents every day are the ones who are best informed to make decisions about their students, and that ultimately, is what our schools got to do. Not somebody sitting in the central office for the most part,” she said.

Feiden submitted her resignation to the governor’s office in mid-August.

She was appointed to the role in April 2019 by then-Gov. Steve Sisolak. Prior to that position, she served as the acting executive director of the now-defunct Achievement School District program, an initiative from 2015 that converted underperforming traditional public schools into charters in an effort to improve them.

The State Public Charter School Authority authorizes, oversees and monitors public charter schools across Nevada. There are nearly 80 charter school campuses teaching approximately 60,000 students statewide.

In the past four years, Feiden oversaw the launch of 25 new charter schools as well as progress in diversifying the system’s students, which has often been criticized for being more homogenous than the state’s student body at large.

Feiden said the number of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch has grown from 34 percent in 2019 to 46 percent today, are learning English as a second language, also known as English language learners (from 7 percent to 9 percent), or have a disability (from 9 percent to 10 percent).

Feiden is moving into a new role as chief of new schools for Building Excellent Schools (BES), a national nonprofit organization that works with charter school leaders. In the new role, she’ll have a chance to work with budding charter school leaders as part of the organization’s fellowship program.

“I have a really great opportunity to work on a national level to support quality charter school growth and while I’m sad to leave the SPCSA, this is the right time for me both professionally and personally,” she said.

Feiden said the new job will also allow her to be closer to family who live outside of Nevada and spend more time with her baby.

Feiden spoke with The Nevada Independent about the successes and challenges Nevada’s charter school system has faced over the past four years.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Explanations of certain terms or ideas have been added in italics as needed.

Students at Learning Bridge Charter School on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (Jeff Scheid/ The Nevada Independent)

What’s changed on the public charter school landscape in Nevada in your four years as executive director?

I think we’ve come a really long way in terms of providing more equitable access to charter schools and educational choices within our community, in particular, through strategically opening new schools in communities that historically have not had as much access, looking at how we provide intentional outreach in communities that have existing low-performing schools.

Those are the biggest shifts I’ve seen, and I think that’s reflected in the shifts in demographics that we’ve seen over the last four years in terms of the increasing percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the increase in English language learners and students with disabilities.

I think a lot of that’s a product of kind of intentional focus on equitable access. To be clear, I wouldn’t put a flag in the ground and say, we’ve arrived, we’re there. I think that there’s certainly room to continue to improve, but I think we’ve made a tremendous amount of progress in that arena, and it’s something I’m super proud of, and I think our schools are proud of as well.

What were your big takeaways from the job?

A lot of my job has been marked by the pandemic. The pandemic started close to 12 months after I began, and dominated for a couple of years. I think one of my biggest takeaways from that was it reinforced my beliefs around the opportunity that charter schools have that’s unique from school districts: to be responsive to their communities.

During the pandemic, our schools really adjusted course where they needed to, pivoted where they needed to, got creative and did things differently where they need to, and I think that was really a function of the fact that they are smaller, that they have local boards that are not overseeing a huge school district, but just a handful of schools at most.

I’m a big believer in public education. I think school districts play an important role in our education landscape, and I think charter schools do too.

What do you see as the greatest challenge facing Nevada charter schools today?

As a community just holistically, I think we just continue to make sure that all families across our community are aware of the educational options they have before them, whether those are magnet schools within the school district, whether it’s charter schools.

Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of families in our community that just still aren’t aware of some of the options that they have and so I think that’s just something that we can continue to work on as a large educational community.

The transportation funding is really exciting. (A total of $14 million for charter school transportation costs over the next two years was allocated as part of Gov. Joe Lombardo’s omnibus K-12 education bill, AB400. Charter schools interested in receiving funding must apply for them through the State Public Charter School Authority.)

But on the other side of that, I think … finding out in June that there is money available, and trying to figure out how to stand up the infrastructure to do that work is a tremendous challenge. I’m proud of the schools that are seeing that challenge and jumping into the fire and trying to figure it out.

The school choice movement has been seen as a contentious topic in Nevada, with many public education advocates taking a stand against ideas like school vouchers since they are seen as taking public funding away from traditional public schools. Do you think charter schools suffer unjustly under this broader criticism of school choice?

I think it’s a political conversation. I think it’s a conversation amongst people who are involved in politics. I think parents and families and students are rarely having that conversation. I think the conversation that they’re having is where’s the best school for my kid.

I think sometimes the disconnect between the people having this kind of political conversation and the people who are actually served by our education system, it’s almost a disservice.

I think our system would be better served if we would try to center on the voices of parents and families that are just not interested in those conversations and are interested in what do my kids need, and how do I get the best education with my child?

Nevada Prep students disembark from a school bus on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)

This year, the Legislature allocated $14 million for the next two years to fund charter school transportation. How is the process going for this year? Are charter schools applying for this funding, and getting approved for the $7 million set aside for the 2023-24 school year?

We’ve approved 11 schools. Over a million dollars so far has been awarded. We’ve been in touch with a number of schools that are in the process of submitting or maybe submitted an early version to us. But generally speaking, there’s at least $5.5 million left.

The first $7 million I believe has to be basically used by June 30. Anything that’s left would revert back to the state.

Right now we’re planning on having the applications open until Sept. 30. We are going to close it and take a look at enrollment numbers.

We do have some schools that grew significantly from the prior year, so we’re going [to] … ask if they wanted to seek an increase to their award before we reopen the application

So if a school had 100 students last year, they applied for funding for those 100 students, but they ended up with 200 kids for this school year and they’re like, ‘Oh, we have these extra 100 kids. We actually want the extra money to pay for another bus.’ We would want to make sure that they can do that before we will accept additional applications.

What are your hopes for the future of charter schools going forward?

I think we’ve had 25 new charter schools open in the time I’ve been here, we’ve increased the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. We’ve come a really long way. My hope is that we continue on that trajectory.

Ultimately, my hope, like any community, is that you want Nevada to be a place where we have a really robust ecosystem that supports our education. So whether it’s charter schools, district schools, I hope that all those schools are working together.

I hope that there’s a space where folks can learn from each other. I think that was one of the original (intentions) behind charter schools, and sometimes that gets lost. But I think there’s an opportunity for folks to learn from each other. I think that goes both ways. I hope that that ecosystem can help our schools grow and ultimately really meet the needs of Nevada.

Education is about helping people to become who they want to be and do whatever it is they want to do, and so I really hope that our charter schools can really contribute to a really vibrant, dynamic education system that does that for all of Nevada’s families.

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Nevada

2024 one of the deadliest years on Nevada roads on record

Published

2 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Press Room

2024 one of the deadliest years on Nevada roads on record

Last year proved one of the deadliest on Nevada roads, with 412 deaths resulting from vehicle crashes.

The 412 traffic deaths in 2024 resulted from 377 crashes involving a fatality, according to an annual report from the state Office of Traffic Safety. That makes 2024 the fourth-deadliest year on record, according to state records dating back to 1991 and tracked by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

As is the case each year, the top contributing factors to fatal crashes were speeding and impairment, according to the state.

The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety’s internal tracking of crashes reveals that between 50-60 percent of those who die in road crashes have an impairing substance in their system, according to Anita Pepper, spokeswoman for the office.

The deadliest year on record was 2006 with 431 deaths. The next deadliest year was 2005 with 427; followed by 2022 with 416; 2024 with 412 deaths; and 395 in 2004 rounds out the five deadliest years.

“Unfortunately, the numbers are trending very high,” Pepper told the Review-Journal. “We are almost back to where we were in 2022, and it’s devastating to see that the number is climbing.”

Last year’s total is an increase of nearly 6 percent compared with 2023’s total of 390 traffic deaths.

In Clark County, traffic deaths rose nearly 14 percent in 2024, with 293 deaths compared with the 258 seen in 2023.

Increasing safety

Clark County’s Office of Traffic Safety, which was founded in 2022, is focusing on re-evaluating its priorities when it comes to roads, deep-diving into data,and looking at sections of roads and intersections that need to be improved.

“At some point there will be a document that is the Safe Streets for All Action Plan for Southern Nevada,” Clark County Office of Traffic Safety Director Andrew Bennett told the Review-Journal. “We’re focusing a great deal of resources on that.”

Erin Breen, director of UNLV’s Road Equity Alliance project, said a lot can be done to increase the safety of all road users, but she said only a few leaders have the will to stand up and explain what needs to be done.

“Because the average driver sees the change as detrimental to their commutes, and getting places fast is a way of life here, unfortunately, it’s the leading contributor to fatalities too,” Breen said.

With speed continually a top factor in fatal crashes, Breen said curbing that is the easiest way to reduce road deaths. She noted that it wouldn’t be cheap, but it is the easiest and most effective way to make Nevada roads safer.

“Changing how fast drivers are comfortable traveling would add to the safety and comfort of those on foot, bike or mobility device,” Breen said. “Narrowing travel lanes on arterial roads, with further reductions at intersections would slow drivers down and assure that the crashes that do happen would be less severe. It would also allow for protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks for those traveling under human power.”

Part of the county’s action to create the Safe Streets for All Action Plan includes overlaying crash and citation data with speed involvement to paint a picture of the Las Vegas Valley’s roads.

“That might have disproportionate representation of crashes and high-injury crashes,” Bennett said. “That will paint a picture countywide, including our rural communities in that as well. That’s the bigger picture, smaller picture I think we’ve done more and continue to work with individual neighbors and businesses in the community, places of interest, whether it be schools or parks, ensuring that we have the ability to listen to the people that are using our road networks.”

Vulnerable road users

Traffic fatalities among vulnerable road users, which includes pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, saw some of the latest increases in the state and in the Las Vegas Valley.

Motorcyclist deaths rose an alarming 28 percent in the state, going from 64 in 2023 to 82 last year. In Clark County, motorcyclist deaths jumped 22 percent in 2024 compared with the year prior, going from 50 in 2023 to 61 last year. Washoe County, which includes Reno, saw a nearly 63 percent increase in motorcyclists’ deaths, from eight in 2023 to 13 in 2024.

“I can say that speed was a big factor in our increase. A lot of the time speeding motorcyclists were their own cause of death, but so many times they were aided by drivers turning, mostly on permissive flashing yellow arrows, which are great for moving cars, terrible for saving lives,” Breen said.

Bicyclists also saw an increase in fatalities, going from 14 in 2023 to 15 in 2025, a 7 percent increase in the state and increasing from 10 to 11 deaths in Clark County, a 10 percent jump.

Pedestrian deaths in the state rose by nearly 5 percent, going from 107 in 2023 to 112 in 2024. In Clark County, pedestrian deaths rose by 14 percent, with 95 deaths last year, up from the 83 seen in 2023.

“In 2023, the state reached over 100 pedestrian fatalities for the first time, we came dangerously close just in Clark County (this year),” Breen said.

Breen noted that during the Great Recession, when fewer people were driving, only 29 and 30 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2009 and 2010, respectively. That number increased to a then-all-time high in 2017 at 78 fatalities, a number that then was topped in both 2018 and 2023, with 83.

“Our population increase isn’t the issue, people who drive far too fast and completely focused on themselves is a problem,” Breen said.

Deaths tied to vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt dipped slightly with 64 in 2024 compared with 68 in 2023, a nearly 6 percent drop in the state. Clark County saw a nearly 10 percent decrease, going from 41 last year to 37 in 2024.

Personal choices

Even with all the messaging, educating and engineering from state and local officials occurring in relation to roads, the key aspect to increasing safety is choices made by each individual driver, Bennett said. Even though many believe that speeding will get them to their destination quicker, in traffic, data suggests otherwise.

“We need to have an honest conversation with out community,” Bennett said. “There’s report after report that shows that speeding 10-12 mph over the speed limit doesn’t result in you getting to your destination any quicker. Speeding isn’t worth it. Nothing delays traffic like a fatal crash. We’re trying to balance moving our community safely and effectively, but making sure that safety is part of that conversation.”

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X. Follow @mickakers on X. Send questions and comments to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com.

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Nevada

'We have a DUI problem in the valley': Nevada State Troopers arrest 182 Las Vegas drivers for DUIs in December

Published

13 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Press Room

'We have a DUI problem in the valley': Nevada State Troopers arrest 182 Las Vegas drivers for DUIs in December

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It’s a problem that data shows only seems to be getting worse in Southern Nevada — people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Local law enforcement agencies hold DUI enforcement blitzes throughout the year, that’s nothing new, but perhaps none are more notorious in Las Vegas than the ones held on New Year’s Eve — one of the most dangerous times to be on valley roadways.

This year was no different.

In a 24-hour period from noon this New Year’s Eve to noon on New Year’s Day, Nevada State Police (NSP) Troopers arrested 49 drivers for DUI statewide, a whopping 36 of those were right here in Clark County.

“We do have a DUI problem, impaired driving throughout the valley,” said Trooper Shawn Haggstrom.

Haggstrom said new data shows there were 182 DUI arrests in Las Vegas alone in the month of December.

“I think it’s staggering,” Haggstrom said. “If you think about it, that’s five or six DUI arrests every day.”

Five or six DUI arrests a day can make a difference, because when it comes to fatal crashes: “the two largest contributing factors here in Nevada are speed and impairment,” Haggstrom said.

We know 2024 was a particularly deadly year on our roads, too, with 412 deaths statewide — 293 of those happened right here in Clark County, a 13.6% increase from 2023.

“Even one fatal is too much,” Haggstrom said. “It doesn’t just affect that person that’s gone–that’s a family member, that’s a dad, a cousin, a brother, a friend.”

That’s why as we start a new year, Trooper Haggstrom reminds all of us not to drink and drive.

“Don’t take that risk,” Haggstrom said. “Because once you get in that vehicle, it’s like a 5,000 pound bullet — you can end up killing somebody or seriously injuring somebody.”

Law enforcement around the valley plan to continue working together on DUI blitzes several times in 2025, so make sure you’re planning ahead, identifying a designated driver or using ride shares.

Haggstrom’s message to drivers is simple: “Drive sober, or get pulled over.”

Crime & Court on Channel 13

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Nevada

7 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Nevada

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

7 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Nevada

When people think of this unique state, they often only picture Las Vegas, gambling, and nightlife, but there’s so much more! Nevada is the 7th largest state and is also known for its rocky mountains, mining history, and iconic desserts. It gets its name from “Sierra Nevada,” which translates to “snow-covered mountains” due to there being 314 named mountain ranges. This state was founded in 1864 during The Civil War and is nicknamed “Silver State” as it is considered the second-largest producer of silver. Come spend one of your long weekends in one of these picturesque towns!

Elko

View of the Chilton Centennial Tower in Elko.

With a population of 20,500, this vacation spot gives visitors a chance to experience city living while still having stunning nature views. Whitecap mountains surround the town and give it picturesque scenery. Start your first day off by walking around the elaborate city and visiting the Northeastern Nevada Museum to learn about the local history and wildlife and to see some art exhibits. Spend the next day immersing yourself in nature and hiking part of The Ruby Crest Trail or part of the Ruby Mountains, which is a remote wilderness hiking experience located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This is one of the most popular trails located around Elko and features rocky mountains overlooking lakes. On your way to this trail, stop by the South Fork State Recreation Area to see views that will ingrained in your memory forever.

On the last day, head over to the Western Folklife Center to learn about cowboys, their history, and the American West. Afterward, stop by the Riparian Hot Spring to soothe the muscles and experience naturally warm waters and a peaceful atmosphere. This spot is great for individuals looking to experience ultimate relaxation with being enveloped in the sounds of nature. Stay at the Rodeway Inn Elko Downtown Area for only $50 a night or the Hampton Inn Elko for $103 a night.

Boulder City

Only 26 miles from the most popular city in Nevada, known as Las Vegas, this spot is perfect for individuals still wanting to be around the bustling scene but wanting to experience a small-town feel. With only a population of 14,000, this city features rows of historic homes, a historic district, and constant scenery of red rocky mountains. Upon arrival, head over to the north end of the city to visit the overlook points known as the Mountain View and Lake Mead View Point. This shows a breathtaking view of forests, rocky mountains, deserts, lakes, and unique formations.

During your visit, stop by two excellent museums that are offered in the area. The Nevada State Railroad Museum has donated trains from the famous Virginia and Truckee Railroad. You can even take a 45-minute train ride! The Boulder City-Hoover Dam Museum is free to enter and tells the story of the men and women who braved the desert to build Hoover Dam and settle Boulder City. Both of these museums are essential when visiting. For hiking and to see the incredible sandy landscapes, check out the Bootleg Canyon Park Trailhead, River Mountain, or the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail. To relax, Boulder Beach and Goldstrike Hot Spring are essentials! After packed-filled days, head back to the Boulder Dam Hotel for around 100 dollars a night!

Winnemucca

This town was named after Chief Winnemucca, who was a part of the Northern Paiute Tribe and a war chief and translates to “one moccasin” (since he always had one shoe on) or “The Giver” due to his daughter’s participation in advocating for fair treatment. Most tourists travel to this town to hike Winnemucca Mountain, which has an elevation of 6,760 feet and an out-of-this-world view. Travel only 10 mins outside of the city to visit the Winnemucca Sand dunes or 20 mins to the Water Canyon Recreation Area for hiking. Stop by the free modern brick building known as The Humboldt Museum to see remains from the ice age 13,000 years ago, art, vintage automobiles, and to learn about the history of American Indians and mining. End the day at the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites for only 52 dollars a night!

Baker

Entrance Sign at Great Basin National Park, Nevada.

This very small town is close to the Utah border and is the last stop before the “Loneliest Road in America,” which is a 408-mile-long highway of complete isolation. Baker is ideal for individuals looking to go on a nature retreat! Only 5 miles from the entrance of the well-known Great Basin National Park, this town attracts a lot of people looking to explore all parts of this unique park. Hike one of the four mountain peaks with 360 views (or all if you’re up for the challenge) that includes Wheeler Peak (elevation of 13,000), Pyramid Peak (elevation of 12,000 feet), Lincoln Peak (elevation of 11,600) or Granite Peak (elevation of 11,218). Stop at the Lehman Caves and take a guided tour to see more than 300 rare and unique shield formations. While there, check out the Mather Overlook to view white cap mountains from the ground.

Take a drive through the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive to view the world’s oldest trees, which are nearly 5,000-year-old bristlecone pines. Lastly, take a walk to view the Lexington Arch, which is made of limestone and created by strong weather forces that have been working for centuries. Stay at the Stargazer Inn or End Of The Trail in between the busy days!

Virginia City

Southwest of Reno, Virginia CIty is home to Victorian buildings that were built in the 19th century during a mining boom. There are three museums in the area to focus on keeping the history alive. To learn more about mining and what it was like to live during the heyday, stop by The Way It Was Museum. The Historic Fourth Ward School And Museum is the last four-story school building of its time and has interactive exhibits. This has a preserved classroom from 1876 that allows visitors to sit and experience what it would be like to go to school back then. Lastly, The Comstock Firemen’s Museum teaches about The Great Fire Of 1875 and gives a glimpse of the men who fought it.

The Chollar Mine Tour takes you deep underground to see how the miners of the Gold Rush extracted 17 million in gold and silver, which made this city famous. For hiking, take the trek up Mt. Bullion or Mt Davidson for beautiful scenery. Stay at the Silverland Inn for 81 dollars a night or The Virginia City Bed and Breakfast.

Tonopah

Tonopah was nick-named “Queen Of The Silver Camps” due to its success in the mining industry in the 1900’s. It is known for world-class stargazing and vast desert landscapes. To learn about mining, take a step into the Tonopah Historic Mining Park to explore more than 100 acres of history, tunnels, caves, and artifacts. Stop by the Old Tonopah Cemetery to view a well-preserved desert cemetery from 1901. From pioneers, old miners, and politicians, learn about the 300 people who are buried there and the thrilling stories behind each of their lives. For a challenge, spend a day hiking Brougher Mountain for an overlook of the town, rocky formations, and desert. Stay at the infamous Clown Motel or at the Mizpah Hotel for direct access to downtown.

Ely

Route 50, the main street in western town of Ely, Nevada is seen against backdrop of mountain range. Editorial credit: Sandra Foyt / Shutterstock.com — Route 50, the main street in the western town of Ely, Nevada, is seen against the backdrop of the mountain range. Editorial credit: Sandra Foyt / Shutterstock.com

Ely is a four-season mountain town where art and outdoor adventures thrive. Brace yourself to be surrounded by white-capped mountains in this town of nearly 4,000! Named in 1878, it was originally a stagecoach station along The Pony Express and became one of the top 10 producers of U.S. copper for 15 years. To learn more about the impact of mining and its general history, visit White Pine Public Museum. After, walk over to the Nevada Northern Railway Museum to take a train ride through the nearby landscape that you will be sure to remember forever. Drive 25 minutes to Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park to see six beehive-shaped charcoal ovens that used to process silver. This 700-acre park also has astonishing hikes and remarkable views. After each eventful day, come back to either the Magnuson Hotel Ely for only $54 a night or at the Ramada By Wyndham Ely for $78 a night!

Spend Your Next Long Weekend In Nevada

Nevada is the driest state in the nation, with an average of 10 inches of precipitation a year! This will guarantee beautiful weather throughout your stay while you hike one of the challenging or easy mountains, lay out on a beach, take a walk through the forest, or explore the scenic towns. Whether it’s a smaller town like Baker to visit Great Basin National Park, a city like Elko, or a historic town like Virginia City, this state has it all. Plan your next long weekend in one of these beautiful towns!

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