House Committee Gives Thumbs Up to Charter School Legislation
Rep. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) failed in her attempt to send HB 206, the charter school facilities funding bill, to the House’s amending order.
Tax Credits Bill Reintroduced
Members of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee have printed a bill, introduced by Sen. Bob Nonini (R-CDA), that would incentivize—in the form of tax credits—individuals and corporations to donate money to fund private school scholarships to Idaho children. According to the bills’ sponsors, HB 227 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2013/H0227.htm), would assure that any Idaho citizen would receive…
Charter Schools Take Center Stage
The topic today in the House Education Committee was charter schools, and based on the committee’s response to the topic, there could be significant changes afoot. First, the committee approved, on a party-line vote, HB 206 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2013/H0206.htm), the charter school facilities funding bill. The bill, which was developed by a coalition, including school administrators, the…
Bill to Fully Fund Lost Education Movement Gets Nod of Approval
With virtually no discussion or debate, members of the House Education Committee approved a bill that would reinstate the two years of movement on the salary grid. Assuming this bill makes it completely through the process and is signed by the governor, HB 205 (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2013/H0205.htm) would assure school districts would receive the necessary $4 million…
Education Issues To Heat Up Next Week
To the casual observer, it may have appeared that there was little discussion of education issues this week. In actuality, there was a flurry of activity, and we expect the pace to increase beginning early next week. As is typical, only a few legislative committees met on Friday. Neither education committee met. However, both panels…
House Panel Prints Charter School Facility Bill
Members of the House Education Committee voted unanimously to print a bill that would guarantee charter schools would receive facility funds. The bill, sponsored by Supt. Luna’s State Department of Education would ensure charter schools would receive $1.4 million skimmed directly from the K-12 schools budget next year, and that price tag could potentially increase…