Indy Education: Meet the state charter school board’s first student member
Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter.
This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources throughout the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it each week via email.
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News briefs
More questions on Clark County schools’ budget issues — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert is seeking additional information about budget issues at the Clark County School District (CCSD). Last Monday, she sent 22 questions to interim Superintendent Brenda Larsen-Mitchell in addition to the eight initial questions she sent late last month. Ebert is expecting answers by Monday at 3 p.m.
Last month, CCSD officials discovered potential deficits in the district’s main budget caused by unexpected litigation and cybersecurity costs. In addition, some individual schools experienced budget issues due to errors that led them to receiving less funding than they need to cover significant new teacher salary raises, as well as inaccuracies in allocations of additional funding designated for students considered to be “at risk.”
As of Wednesday, CCSD officials estimate a potential district-level budget shortfall of about $10.8 million. Earlier this month, it had estimated that amount to be about $20 million.
The Clark County School Board will discuss the state of the district’s budget at its Thursday meeting.
➗ Las Vegas math teacher named NV teacher of the year — Mike Patterson, a math teacher at Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH) known for his engaging lessons, was named the 2025 Nevada State Teacher of the Year during a surprise ceremony Monday.
“This is an amazing honor,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed, honestly, by the thought that this is something I would be worthy of. I love what I do.”
Patterson was a teacher in his native Canada for five years before joining CCSD, where he has taught for the last 25 years. He currently teaches geometry, algebra and calculus at A-TECH, one of the highest-performing schools in the state.
In order to make math more accessible and enjoyable for his students, Patterson incorporates board games into his geometry lessons. He also founded a board games club, which features ping pong tables, foosball tables and more at his school and has grown during the past 18 years into a thriving community that gives back to other teachers through its Play it Forward Grant. The club, which attracts about 120 students each week, raises money by selling food and drinks to club participants, business outreach and its annual board game marathon taking place early November.
Under his leadership, the club has awarded more than $10,000 in grants to support innovative teaching initiatives in schools across the district.
Patterson will represent the Silver State in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
School Spotlight
High school senior bringing student perspectives to the state charter school board
The first-ever student member of the State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA)’s governing board is looking to bridge the gap between students and charter school leaders.
The SPCSA is responsible for authorizing and overseeing public charter schools in the state. Like traditional district schools, charter schools are funded by the state, but are independently operated. There are currently about 80 charter school campuses across the state serving approximately 62,000 students.
The SPCSA’s governing board voted to appoint Matthew Birru, a 17-year-old high school senior at the Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas’ Sandy Ridge campus in Henderson, as its first student member at its Aug. 23 meeting. He attended his first meeting two weeks ago.
Chair Tonia Holmes-Sutton said in a written statement that, for years, the board has wanted to create a student member position to ensure that the voices of its primary constituents, the students who are directly affected by the policies and decisions it makes, are heard.
“Having a student on our board is likely to bring a fresh, first-hand perspective on the educational environment,” she said. “This can lead to more student-informed policies and initiatives, as our board will have direct insights into the needs and experiences of students.”
Birru started attending Coral Academy as a seventh grader. Prior to that, he attended private schools. While the class sizes at his former school were smaller, he said he enjoys the emphasis on growth in subjects such as English and math and the diversity in Coral Academy’s student body.
“There's a lot of students from every type of demographic, and it's very cool to learn all their cultures and to meet all these new people that I didn't have at my old school where … I was one of three Black people,” he said.
Birru said he decided to apply for the position to help students’ voices reach the board.
“I thought there was a bit of a separation … and I felt like that, if I could undertake this position, I could bridge that gap and create a better understanding between the two groups,” he said.
Birru is passionate about biology and computer science, and said he plans to go to college to pursue a degree in computer science.
Outside of his academics, Birru enjoys reading, watching movies and just being with his family.
Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at [email protected].
Reading Assignments
Longtime educator fending off tech businessman in lone Washoe County School Board race
After three Washoe County School Board school board races were decided in the June primary, eyes are now on the remaining race for the District G seat that pits a longtime educator against a tech businessman.
Extra Credit
From Carson Now: Carson City candidate no longer wants to run, but can't be dropped from ballot: 'Vote for my opponent'
From The Record Courier: Ruling: District and trustees responsible for records lawsuit fees
Events
🍎 Clark County School Board meeting — Oct. 24, 5 p.m.
The agenda includes a presentation on the state of the district’s budget.
Featured social media post
This story was updated on 10/22/24 at 8:33 a.m. to correct Matthew Birru's last name.