Summary

Idaho HB 221 (Open States or Idaho Legislature) adds to and amends existing law relating to public charter schools. It contains provisions relating to petitioning to establish a new public virtual charter school and guidelines for authorization of public virtual charter schools.

Legislative Analysis

This legislation makes several revisions to existing charter school law that impact public virtual charter schools:

• It defines the purpose of the charter petition as a chance to present the proposed public charter school’s academic and operational vision and plans, demonstrate the petitioner’s capacities to execute the proposed vision and plans, and provide the authorized chartering entity a clear basis for assessing the applicant’s plans and capacities. An approved charter petition may not serve as the school’s performance certificate.
• If a petition to establish a new public charter school, including a public virtual charter school, is submitted directly to a permitted authorized chartering entity, it does not have to be signed by at least thirty qualified electors of the attendance area.
• No such individual authorized chartering entity may approve more than one new public charter school each year within the boundaries of a single school district.
• Other than this exception, the same laws and rules for approving new public charter schools govern authorized chartering entities and the public charter school commission.
• Unlike with other new public charter school petitions, those for a new public virtual school are not submitted directly to the local school district board of trustees.
• In the case of a petition for a public virtual charter school, if the primary attendance area described in the petition extends within the boundaries of five or fewer local school districts, the prospective authorizer, rather than the public charter school commission, shall provide notice in writing of a public hearing no less than thirty days prior to those local school districts. The hearing will include oral and/or written comments regarding the merits of the petition and any potential impacts on the districts.
• An authorized chartering entity, except for a school district board of trustees, may approve a charter for a public virtual school under the provisions of this legislation if it meets certain existing requirements laid out in the state code.

HB 221 has a positive impact on digital learning by expanding possible authorizers of public virtual charter schools, while maintaining high standards and integrity in the process.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Butch Otter on 4/11/2013