Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Minutes
Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday May 13, 2025 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.
Committee Members Present
Ann Diggins (remote), Brin Gibson (remote), Chan Lengsavath, Dr. Ercan Aydogdu, Nick Sarisahin
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Andrea Shepard, CASLV Executive Assistant, Anthony Vu, CASLV Director of Facilities, Bridget Johnson-Peevy, CASLV Chief People Officer, Selim Tanyeri, CASLV Chief Operations Officer
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Public Comment
II. Discussion & Possible Action Items
A.
Merit-Based Policy Addendum (For Possible Action)
Ms. Peevy presented the merit-based policy addendum, explaining that its purpose is to recognize and reward qualified employees for exceptional performance. Eligible roles include teachers, SCOOT counselors, interventionists, and math and literacy specialists.Ms. Peevy indicated this is a request to add an addendum based on the funding we receive yearly, adding that it may be discontinued based on the funding.
Dr. Ercan provided an update on the funding and responded to questions from board members. He clarified that merit-based payments for the 2025–2026 school year are scheduled to be disbursed in September 2026. Payments for the current school year (2023–2024) will be issued in September 2025. Teachers will be notified if we need to pause the payments for next school year by the end of July 2025, by which time more information about available funding will be known.
Dr. Ercan further explained that there are no specific regulations governing the source of these funds. In past years, payments have typically been supported by Title II funds. However, charter schools will not receive a Title II grant for the upcoming school year. He added that if alternative funding can be identified within the existing budget, the merit-based payments may still continue.
Ms. Diggins requested that any decisions made regarding the funding be reported to the board.
B.
Summer Deep Cleaning (For Possible Action)
Mr. Vu explained that summer deep cleaning is conducted annually and is essential for maintaining a healthy, safe, and welcoming environment for students and staff. Unlike routine daily cleaning, deep cleaning enables the cleaning company to sanitize hard-to-reach areas, strip and refinish floors, clean HVAC systems, and address the wear and tear that accumulates throughout the school year.
With school buildings largely unoccupied during the summer, this period offers the only opportunity to complete such work thoroughly and efficiently. This process helps prevent illness, extends the life of facility components, and ensures that campuses are fully prepared for the upcoming academic year.
Mr. Vu recommended contracting with CCS, which submitted the lowest bid of $59,400 for deep cleaning services across all campuses.
C.
Network Video Recorder (NVR) Camera System Software Upgrade (For Possible Action)
Mr. Selim explained that CASLV currently uses two different, outdated security systems across its seven campuses. These legacy systems lack advanced capabilities such as AI-based detection, person tracking, license plate and vehicle recognition, face blurring, and other modern security features.
He recommends approving the quote from Verkada, noting that it offers one of the most advanced and comprehensive security systems available on the market, with a total cost of $125,197.91.
Board members asked a range of questions and advised staff to review Verkada’s privacy policies, including guidelines on data access and ownership.
D.
Raptor Emergency Management System (For Possible Action)
Mr. Selim explained that CASLV currently uses Raptor for visitor management and is proposing to add the Emergency Management System feature beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. This module will allow school staff to initiate drills and emergency alerts through the app, panic buttons, and other tools.
The quote includes a three-year renewal of the existing visitor management system along with the addition of the emergency management module. This bundled package would result in an annual savings of approximately $6,000.
E.
Fire Alarm and System Upgrade (RFP) for CASLV Windmill (For Possible Action)
Mr. Vu explained that the building is still operating with its original fire alarm system, which was installed in 1992 and is now outdated. During a site visit last year, the City of Henderson required the district to upgrade the system. An extension was requested, with the understanding that the upgrade would be completed in the summer of 2025 to align with a planned front office remodel.
Mr. Vu recommended awarding the project to Ace Fire, which submitted the lowest of two bids for $155,765. He noted that there was a significant cost difference between the two proposals.
F.
Technology Fee and One to One Technology Policy (For Possible Action)
The Sandy Ridge campus plans to implement a one-to-one technology program beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. As part of this initiative, a non-refundable technology fee would be charged to students. Mr. Gardberg is currently reviewing the proposal.
The program will be piloted exclusively at Sandy Ridge and will apply to all students, with the exception of students eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL), and 10% above the FRL cutoff will be exempt from the fee. Mr. Gardberg has also been involved in ongoing communications with the State Public Charter School Authority regarding this initiative.
G.
Centennial Campus Office Creation in room 101 (For possible action)
This project involves converting a portion of Classroom 101 into an office space. The work will include installing a new partition wall and creating a doorway from the main hallway for direct access.
The recommended contractor is Yack, the preferred bidder. Yack previously completed a similar office construction project at the Centennial campus during the winter break.
H.
Tamarus Campus Secondary Front Entry Wall (For possible action)
Mr. Selim explained that the project involves adding a secondary wall extending from the front desk to the opposite wall near the MPR entrance doors. This will create a new waiting area for parents, effectively blocking access to the rest of the campus and establishing a secure front entry. The wall will include a doorway, with access controlled by front office staff.
The recommended contractor is Tridel, which submitted the lowest bid of $45,233. Tridel has completed numerous projects for the CASLV in the past.
I.
Centennial Campus Front Parking Lot Gates Automation (For possible action)
This project aims to make the front gates operable by providing an electrical power source. Once completed, the gates will be programmable to automatically close during non-business hours.
The recommended contractor is Silver State Gates, which submitted the lowest bid of $40,068. They previously completed the front entry automation at Sandy Ridge during the past school year. Mr. Vu provided a detailed explanation of the necessity for this upgrade.
J.
Delta Management Solutions Agreement Amendment (For Possible Action)
Mr. Nick explained that the current back office agreement is set to expire at the end of this fiscal year, and he is seeking approval to extend it for an additional three years.
K.
Financial Framework Ratings for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year (Information)
Mr. Nick shared that the State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) reviews our financials annually, and the financial framework ratings show that CASLV has met all standards. He noted that we are one of the few charter schools to achieve this distinction. Dr. Ercan commended Mr. Nick for successfully meeting all of the standards and noted that we exceed the standards.
No action, information only.
L.
Review of CASLV Investment Report (Information)
Mr. Nick presented the CASLV Investment report in detail.
No action, information only.
No pubic comments.