Growing Minds Preschool & Academy in northwest Las Vegas closes as owner and church landlord dispute unpaid rent

What happened

Growing Minds Preschool & Academy, a private school near Buffalo Drive and Vegas Drive in northwest Las Vegas, closed its doors Thursday, according to KTNV Channel 13. The school opened last year and taught children from preschool through eighth grade. KTNV reported that families are now looking for new classrooms while employees are still waiting for pay.

The closure has raised questions about unpaid wages, money parents contributed and whether families will get refunds. A letter from school leadership said the school was not currently in a financial position to issue refunds. The same letter said its available financial resources had been depleted.

How the school ran out of money

A payroll appeal to families

After an October 23 meeting, interim Head of Schools Debbie Kaye wrote to families that Growing Minds needed $85,000 to cover payroll for teachers and staff, KTNV reported. According to the letter, families and supporters pledged nearly $50,000 within hours. That money was meant to cover past-due payroll and let teachers return for another week while leaders looked for a longer-term fix.

The closure letter

In a later letter announcing an October 29 closure, Kaye said employees were still not being paid and many had resigned. She also wrote that the school's owner had not provided a plan to resolve its financial obligations. Parent Kari Spicuzza told Channel 13 that teachers had kept showing up even though she believed they were going on a third missed paycheck.

The lease dispute

The owner's account

Owner and CEO Adam Feierstein told Channel 13 in a written statement that he was devastated by the closure. He blamed enrollment that did not grow enough and what he called a "crippling lease" the school could not renegotiate. KTNV noted his initial statement did not address unpaid wages, how parents' payroll contributions were handled or whether refunds would be issued.

The landlord's account

The school's landlord, Shadow Hills Church, gave KTNV a separate statement saying the school's ownership failed to meet its lease obligations, including several months of unpaid rent. The church said it still let the school keep operating on its campus despite the missed payments. Church representatives also said school administrators and employees told them staff missed payroll more than once.

Shadow Hills said it acted only as the landlord and has no ties to the school's ownership or management. The church said it hopes to bring another school or schools to the campus, though KTNV reported no replacement has been confirmed. For more on local property and leasing news, see our real estate coverage.

What families are saying

Parent Inga Algereyeva, whose two boys attended the school, told Channel 13 she feels betrayed. Spicuzza, whose daughter was in fifth grade, said she wants to know where the money went and why there was not enough of it. Families following education news can find more in our schools section.

State oversight questions

Channel 13 asked the Nevada Department of Education about the school's licensing history, oversight and what protections may exist for affected families. KTNV reported the department sent an automated acknowledgment but has not responded further. The station also sent Feierstein follow-up questions about wages, parent contributions, refunds and the church's account of unpaid rent.

What to watch next

• Whether Feierstein answers Channel 13's follow-up questions about unpaid wages, parent payroll contributions, refunds and the church's account of unpaid rent.
• Any response from the Nevada Department of Education on the school's licensing, oversight and protections for families.
• Whether families receive refunds, which the school said it is not currently in a financial position to issue.
• Whether Shadow Hills Church confirms a replacement school for its campus.