Bill > S1097

This bill amends Idaho's existing law regarding public charter schools by making several key changes. The bill removes a previous prohibition on converting an entire school district to a charter district, now allowing such conversions. It clarifies the application timeline for new public charter schools, specifying that applications must be received by September 1 to be eligible for the following school year, with some flexibility for later dates. The bill also expands the conditions under which a charter school can be approved, explicitly allowing the conversion of existing traditional public schools or entire school districts to charter status, but only with approval from the local school district's board of trustees. The legislation maintains restrictions on converting private or parochial schools to charter schools and prohibits for-profit entities from directly operating charter schools, though they can provide management services. Additionally, the bill addresses the administrative classification of charter schools, allowing them to be designated as local education agencies (LEAs) with some flexibility for alternative arrangements, and restricts charter holders from operating unrelated enterprises using state education funding. The bill includes an emergency clause and will take effect on July 1, 2025, indicating its immediate importance to educational policy in Idaho.

Budget and Finance, Education, Justice

Education Committee (S)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/S1097/