NRS386.590. Employment of licensed teachers required for certain instruction; certain teachers required to possess qualifications prescribed by federal law; qualifications of nonlicensed teachers; qualifications and employment of administrators; limitation on salaries of administrators; submission of information to Department.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, at least 70 percent of the teachers who provide instruction at a charter school must be licensed teachers. If a charter school is a vocational school, the charter school shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that at least 70 percent of the teachers who provide instruction at the school are licensed teachers, but in no event may more than 50 percent of the teachers who provide instruction at the school be unlicensed teachers.

      2.  A governing body of a charter school shall employ:

      (a) If the charter school offers instruction in kindergarten or grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, a licensed teacher to teach pupils who are enrolled in those grades. If required by subsection 3 or 4, such a teacher must possess the qualifications required by 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a).

      (b) If the charter school offers instruction in grade 9, 10, 11 or 12, a licensed teacher to teach pupils who are enrolled in those grades for the subjects set forth in subsection 4. If required by subsection 3 or 4, such a teacher must possess the qualifications required by 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a).

      (c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b):

             (1) If a charter school specializes in arts and humanities, physical education or health education, a licensed teacher to teach those courses of study.

             (2) If a charter school specializes in the construction industry or other building industry, licensed teachers to teach courses of study relating to the industry if those teachers are employed full-time.

             (3) If a charter school specializes in the construction industry or other building industry and the school offers courses of study in computer education, technology or business, licensed teachers to teach those courses of study if those teachers are employed full-time.

      3.  A person who is initially hired by the governing body of a charter school on or after January 8, 2002, to teach in a program supported with money from Title I must possess the qualifications required by 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a). For the purposes of this subsection, a person is not “initially hired” if the person has been employed as a teacher by another school district or charter school in this State without an interruption in employment before the date of hire by his or her current employer.

      4.  A teacher who is employed by a charter school, regardless of the date of hire, must, on or before July 1, 2006, possess the qualifications required by 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a) if the teacher teaches one or more of the following subjects:

      (a) English, reading or language arts;

      (b) Mathematics;

      (c) Science;

      (d) Foreign language;

      (e) Civics or government;

      (f) Economics;

      (g) Geography;

      (h) History; or

      (i) The arts.

      5.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 386.588, a charter school may employ a person who is not licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 391 of NRS to teach a course of study for which a licensed teacher is not required pursuant to subsections 2, 3 and 4 if the person has:

      (a) A degree, a license or a certificate in the field for which the person is employed to teach at the charter school; and

      (b) At least 2 years of experience in that field.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 386.588, a charter school shall employ such administrators for the school as it deems necessary. A person employed as an administrator must possess:

      (a) A valid teacher’s license issued pursuant to chapter 391 of NRS with an administrative endorsement;

      (b) A master’s degree in school administration, public administration or business administration; or

      (c) At least 5 years of experience in school administration, public administration or business administration and a baccalaureate degree.

      7.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, the portion of the salary or other compensation of an administrator employed by a charter school that is derived from public funds must not exceed the salary or other compensation, as applicable, of the highest paid administrator in a comparable position in the school district in which the charter school is located. For purposes of determining the salary or other compensation of the highest paid administrator in a comparable position in the school district, the salary or other compensation of the superintendent of schools of that school district must not be included in the determination.

      8.  If the salary or other compensation paid to an administrator employed by a charter school from public funds exceeds the maximum amount prescribed in subsection 7, the sponsor of the charter school shall conduct an audit of the salary or compensation. The audit must include, without limitation, a review of the reasons set forth by the governing body of the charter school for the salary or other compensation and the interests of the public in using public funds to pay that salary or compensation. If the sponsor determines that the payment of the salary or other compensation from public funds is justified, the sponsor shall provide written documentation of its determination to the governing body of the charter school and to the Department. If the sponsor determines that the payment of the salary or other compensation from public funds is not justified, the governing body of the charter school shall reduce the salary or compensation paid to the administrator from public funds to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount prescribed in subsection 7.

      9.  A charter school shall not employ a person pursuant to this section if the person’s license to teach or provide other educational services has been revoked or suspended in this State or another state.

      10.  On or before November 15 of each year, a charter school shall submit to the Department, in a format prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the following information for each person who is licensed pursuant to chapter 391 of NRS and who is employed by the governing body on October 1 of that year:

      (a) The amount of salary or compensation of the licensed person, including, without limitation, verification of compliance with subsection 7, if applicable to that person; and

      (b) The designated assignment, as that term is defined by the Department, of the licensed person.

      (Added to NRS by 1997, 1852; A 1999, 3302; 2001, 3137; 2003, 19th Special Session, 44; 2005, 2406, 2542; 2007, 1258; 2011, 3058)