Board Approves Charter School
May 12, 2006

The Clark County School Board approved sponsorship for a charter school Thursday that will educate students who have substance abuse problems.

Trustees voted 5-0 to approve the application from the WestCare Charter School, which would be the first school to offer such services in the district. The vote authorized charter officials to develop a governing body and solidify plans on what type of services the school will provide.

Charter school officials still have to go before the School Board once they have obtained a facility, before the school can open.

Trustees Larry Mason and Ruth Johnson did not vote.

WestCare, the nonprofit health system, operates seven facilities in Southern Nevada that offer services ranging from mental health and drug abuse assistance, to outpatient treatment.

Trustee Terri Janison said WestCare is the right organization to bring drug-abuse services to students in Clark County.

"They do an incredible job at WestCare in taking care of these children that are falling through the cracks," Janison said.

According to information provided to the School Board, the school will open with about 80 students in grades seven through 12. The school will be available to all students in Clark County. Class sizes will be limited to 15 to 17 students per class.

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