Bill > H0762

This bill amends existing Idaho law concerning public charter school admission procedures, specifically focusing on how students are selected when there are more applicants than available spots. The key changes involve revising the order of preference for admission, allowing for children of founders to receive preference up to 10% of the school's capacity, and expanding the sibling preference to include children in foster care placed with families who already have a child admitted through the lottery. Additionally, the bill introduces new preference categories for children of military families on active duty, students transferring from other charter schools with existing agreements, and students residing within the school's primary attendance area, all of which can be prioritized in an order determined by the charter school. It also allows charter schools to weight their lottery system to give preference to educationally disadvantaged students, such as those living below the federal poverty level, experiencing homelessness or in foster care, with disabilities, limited English proficiency, or at-risk, and also permits the inclusion of children of full-time employees in the first priority group. For subsequent school years, returning students receive priority, followed by the preferences outlined for initial admissions, and a new lottery is conducted annually to fill vacancies, with provisions for students who previously withdrew due to parental military transfer or academic sabbatical. The bill also establishes a process for dependents of U.S. armed forces members with transfer orders to Idaho to apply for enrollment, treating them as residents of the primary attendance area for preference purposes. All selection processes must occur publicly within seven days of enrollment deadlines, with advance public notice, and admission offers must be sent within seven days after the selection, requiring a signed acceptance by the parent or guardian. Finally, if a school exceeds its projected student count in a lottery and has a sufficient waitlist, it may increase enrollment per grade up to its authorized capacity.

Education

Education Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0762/