Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Minutes
Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday May 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Location
CASLV Central Office
8985 S. Eastern Ave #375
Las Vegas, NV, 89123
Posting of Agenda: This agenda has been posted at the following locations:
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas (“CASLV”) Central Office, CASLV website at www.caslv.org, and Nevada Public Notice website at http://notice.nv.gov.
Format / Procedures / Rules: This is a notice of a public meeting held pursuant to NRS Chapter 241. Members of the public are invited to be present.
Certain items may be removed from open/public consideration if permitted or required by Nevada law. The Board may also (i) take agenda items out of order; (ii) combine two or more items for consideration; (iii) separate one item into multiple items; (iv) table an agenda item to a future meeting; and/or (v) remove an agenda item.
Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate persons with physical disabilities desiring to attend the meeting. Please contact Ms. Shepard at ashepard@coralacademylv.org at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting, if possible, so that reasonable arrangements may conveniently be made.
Please also contact Ms. Shepard if you would like a copy of the agenda and any public reference materials relating to agenda items. Those materials will also be available at the meeting location. Those materials would provide you with greater context and clarity as to the matters under discussion.
By law, no one may willfully disrupt the meeting to the extent that its orderly conduct becomes impractical.
All items are action or possible action items if denoted as such.
Directors Present
Ann Diggins (remote), Brin Gibson (remote), Chan Lengsavath, Esq. (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Andrea Shepard, CASLV Executive Assistant, Bridget Johnson-Peevy, CASLV Chief People Officer, David Hall, Esq., CASLV Legal Counsel, Dr. Ercan Aydogdu, CASLV Executive Director & CEO, Dr. Ercan Aydogdu, CASLV Executive Director & CEO, Dr. Gunozu, CASLV Chief Academic and School Officer, Monica Patel, DMS Representative, Nick Sarishahin, CASLV Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Selim Tanyeri, CASLV Chief Student Services Officer
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Public Comment
II. Discussion & Possible Action Items
A.
Salary Schedule Amendment (For Possible Action)
Ms. Peevy explained that seven staff members have reached the maximum step on the current salary scale. To allow for continued progression, additional steps are being requested. This applies to both the general salary scale and the Nellis AFB Campus salary scale. The proposal is to extend all campuses to Step 20, rather than addressing this issue on an annual basis.
Mr. Gibson noted that the cost of living should also be taken into consideration. Mr. Nick explained that the increase is a fixed 2.5% rate. Dr. Ercan added that staff are also receiving an additional 4% salary increase, bringing the total overall increase to about 6-7%. Mr. Gibson requested additional information on staff compensation in relation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to better understand year-over-year trends.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Chan Lengsavath, Esq. |
Aye
|
| Brin Gibson |
Aye
|
| Ann Diggins |
Abstain
|
Ms. Diggins recused herself since her husband is a teacher at CASLV.
B.
UNLV Professional Development Services for the Special Education Department (For Possible Action)
Mr. Selim indicated that this is a professional development plan that will begin in the 2026–2027 school year. He stated that a solid plan is now in place and that implementation would begin at the Nellis, Cadence, and Eastgate campuses. He also reviewed the proposed budget.
Mr. Selim further explained that the initiative is intended to provide a professional development and coaching program to strengthen the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at CASLV. The approach focuses on equipping educators with the tools needed to differentiate math and reading instruction, provide inclusive instruction, and implement individualized educational supports for students with disabilities or those at risk for disability. He added that the anticipated collaboration would continue over a period of three to five years to support implementation and training of campus teams across all schools.
C.
Raptor Emergency and Visitor Management System Renewals (For Possible Action)
Mr. Selim explained that CASLV campuses use Raptor Technologies for emergency and visitor management to help control who enters campus, track individuals on-site in real time, and respond more effectively during emergencies. The system screens visitors against safety databases, issues visitor badges, and maintains accurate logs. He added that the system strengthens student safety, standardizes front office procedures, and provides critical documentation for compliance and liability protection.
Mr. Selim further explained that this is a renewal of the Raptor Emergency and Visitor Management System, which CASLV began using several years ago. He stated that the cost is approximately $5,000 per campus and that there is about a $6,000 credit provided. The total cost for all seven campuses is $30,471.87.
Mr. Gibson indicated that parents should be informed regarding the use of facial recognition.
D.
RTB Data & Consulting LLC Agreement (For Possible Action)
Dr. Gunozu explained that this is the third year of using Raising the Bar (RTB), which supports the development of small groups, facilitates leadership team meetings, provides projection reports, and assists with data analysis, including ACT and SBAC data. The cost is $6,000 per school level (e.g., elementary and middle school), totaling $12,000. This expense has been funded through the Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF), and if funds are not available, it will be covered by the Central Office budget. Currently, there is no school-level staffing assigned to this function, so this is a good service and the cost is very reasonable based on our evaluation. Approval is being requested to continue the service. The total amount is $84,145 for seven campuses and all levels.
Dr. Ercan added that this is currently our second year, and we will be entering our third year of implementation. He noted that from last year to this year, the impact on results is reflected in the increase in 5-star schools, which rose from five to eight. He also indicated they are working with our high school campuses, and ACT average composite scores have increased. He thinks this is a great program.
Dr. Gunozu said he can share deliverables, including the types of reports being provided. Mr. Gibson stated that he would like to see the different types of assessments and better understand which are state-mandated performance measures, as well as what other reports are included.
Dr. Gunozu further explained that the tool is primarily used for internal purposes. It helps determine tutoring groups, identify specific skill areas that require additional focus, and support instructional planning. The data is also used for projections, allowing the team to identify grade levels that are behind and not meeting targets based on available results. He will also share the data results from the teacher survey.
E.
Harward Leading Culture Change Professional Development for Nellis Campus (For Possible Action)
The Nellis Campus Leadership Team is requesting participation in the Harvard Graduate School of Education customized three-day leadership institute focused on strengthening school culture, improving organizational effectiveness, building leadership capacity, and creating sustainable systems for growth and collaboration. Dr. Ercan shared that the professional development, scheduled for June 15–17 for the Nellis AFB campus, will include 16 staff members, including campus administrators and teachers. The total cost of the program is $60,753.52, which Dr. Ercan indicated half of the registration fees, which is $21,360, will be covered through the CSP Grant. Discussion also included assigning ownership responsibilities to ensure implementation efforts move forward effectively. Grant evaluations will be supported by Dr. Gunozu, who will work closely with the campus principal throughout the process.
F.
SLA School Meal Service Agreement Renewal (For Possible Action)
Mr. Nick explained that we currently receive breakfast and lunch services from SLA for the Windmill, Sandy Ridge, and Nellis campuses. Following negotiations, SLA increased breakfast pricing from $2.07 to $2.75 and lunch pricing from $4.04 to $4.10.
Renewing the existing school meal services agreement will ensure the continued provision of student meals in compliance with federal and state guidelines. The provider’s performance and pricing have been reviewed and are considered satisfactory.
G.
Google Education Standard Plus Subscription (For Possible Action)
Mr. Nick explained that staff is requesting approval to upgrade our Google Workspace for Education environment from the current “Education Fundamentals” tier to “Education Plus.” As our school’s digital infrastructure and student enrollment continue to expand, the free “Education Fundamentals” platform no longer meets the administrative, security, and instructional needs of a growing educational organization.
Our current environment relies on basic management tools that do not provide the advanced level of control required to support a complex multi-campus system and emerging AI technologies. Specifically, we have identified critical gaps in Mobile Device Management (MDM), advanced security monitoring and geofencing capabilities, and enhanced AI features within Google applications. These tools are essential for maintaining a secure, efficient, and future-ready learning environment.
The “Education Plus” tier represents Google’s most comprehensive education solution. It provides a centralized management platform for all devices, advanced security analytics to help protect student and organizational data, and next-generation AI tools that empower faculty and staff to deliver a high-quality educational experience.
H.
Amendment to Meal Pricing for Families (For Possible Action)
Mr. Nick indicated that this item is no longer needed, and there will be no increase to the meal pricing for families.
I.
Financial Update (Information)
Ms. Patel presented the April financial update. She reported that year-to-date revenues totaled approximately $59.4 million, representing 91% of budget, with federal and local revenues performing above expectations. Total expenditures were approximately $53.1 million, or 81% of budget, with most expense categories tracking in line with expectations; however, other purchased services continued to trend over budget.
Ms. Patel further reviewed monthly revenue and expenditure trends and noted that federal and local revenues are expected to exceed budget projections, while most expenditure categories remain stable and below projections. She explained that the variance in other purchased services is primarily due to DSA fees being reclassified into this category in accordance with SPCSA guidance, resulting in a corresponding offset within purchased professional and technical services. Overall, revenue trends remain strong, and the School’s financial position remains stable.
Ms. Patel then reviewed the balance sheet in detail. Current assets significantly exceed current liabilities, indicating strong liquidity and operational stability. Total liabilities primarily consist of bond and pension obligations, and net assets total approximately $7.4 million.
Finally, Ms. Patel reviewed the School’s financial metrics, noting that all Nevada Financial Performance Framework requirements are being exceeded. The School has approximately 112 days of unrestricted cash on hand, well above the 60-day requirement, and both the cash ratio and current ratio remain significantly above minimum benchmarks, demonstrating continued strong financial health.
Mr. Lengsavath and Mr. Gibson raised concerns regarding the decrease in cash on hand over the past few years. In response to concerns raised by Mr. Chan and Mr. Brin, Dr. Ercan noted that although cash on hand has decreased, CASLV still maintains more than double the required amount. He also asked a clarifying question to Ms. Patel whether the cash on hand calculations included CASLV’s investments. Ms. Patel clarified that the figure reflects unrestricted cash on hand only and does not include funds held in Certificates of Deposit (CDs).
This item was presented for informational purposes only, and no action was taken.
J.
Review of CASLV Investment Report (Information)
Mr. Nick presented the Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas investment report, providing an overview of current holdings, overall performance, and compliance with Board-approved investment policies.
This item was presented for informational purposes only, and no action was required.
III. Public Comments (Information)
A.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Mr. Gibson joined the meeting at 2:05 PM.
There were no public comments.