John Pemble/Iowa Public Radio file photo
Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign a bill (HF 813) given final approval in the Iowa Senate that creates a new pathway to establish charter schools in Iowa.
The proposal would allow a private founding group, operating independently from the local school board, to apply to the State Board of Education to open a new charter school. If approved for a five-year contract, state funding would be provided to the new school through the local public district based on the number of students who enroll in the charter.
Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, said she supports the plan as a way to fill gaps in the public school system.
One of Gov. Kim Reynolds education priorities is headed to her desk after the Iowa Senate passed a bill Wednesday allowing groups to form charter schools without getting a local school board s approval.
The bill, House File 813, would establish a new method of creating charter schools in Iowa. It would allow a founding group to apply directly to the state Department of Education to form a charter, rather than going through a local school board. The bill also would retain the current method of applying through a local school board.
Iowa currently has just two charter schools, in Storm Lake and Maynard.
Growing Iowa’s charter school program was a key priority for Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign a bill (HF 813) given final approval in the Iowa Senate Wednesday that creates a new pathway to establish charter schools in Iowa.
The proposal would allow a private founding group, operating independently from the local school board, to apply to the State Board of Education to open a new charter school. If approved for a five-year contract, state funding would be provided to the new school through the local public district based on the number of students who enroll in the charter.
Charter school expansion bill heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds desk after Senate passage Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register
In condition of the state, Reynolds calls for open enrollment in every school district
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One of Gov. Kim Reynolds education priorities is headed to her desk after the Iowa Senate approved a measure allowing groups to form charter schools without getting a local school board s approval.
The bill, House File 813, would establish a new method of creating charter schools in Iowa. It would allow a founding group to apply directly to the state Department of Education to form a charter, rather than going through a local school board. The bill, which the Senate passed Wednesday, would retain the current method of applying through a local school board as an option.