Board approves Encompass Academy restart under new charter with increased oversight

The Washoe County School District Board voted unanimously on April 28 to restart Encompass Academy under a new six‑year charter contract that includes increased district oversight, site visits twice per year and a requirement that the school implement recommendations from its educational consultant.

District staff said Encompass had completed required diagnostic reviews, engaged an academic consultant and provided documentation showing progress on several fronts. Staff identified strengths including an instructional model aligned with effective instruction elements, improved MTSS (multi‑tiered systems of support) structures, and a notable drop in chronic absenteeism from 72% (2022–23) to 36% most recently.

"The committee felt that they do have the capacity to engage in a turnaround and actually sustain it," said Nicole Johnson, who presented the review summary. Staff said cohort‑focused improvements at the ninth‑grade level had improved student retention and stabilized revenue projections.

Board members asked about the additional staff time and district support required during the restart period. Trustee Diane Nichollet and others urged district staff to consider whether increased oversight carries commensurate funding. Trustees approved the restart motion with the stated monitoring conditions.

What happens next: Encompass will operate under the new restart contract; district staff will conduct two site visits per year and require adherence to the consultant recommendations as conditions of the charter term.