“A smart tool”
Bluum CEO Terry Ryan recently discussed HB 545, a bill proposed in the Idaho legislature, which would create the Public Charter School Revolving Loan Fund, which he calls “a smart tool” to help communities across the state build schools for their growing student populations. It could, he said, also become a model for district facilities funding, especially in smaller and more rural communities.
Another step forward in West Virginia
With a judicial stay on their actions recently lifted, the Professional Charter School Board formally approved the contracts of the first five charter schools scheduled to open in the Mountain State this fall. There is certain to be more legal wrangling ahead, but the three brick-and-mortar and two virtual schools can build toward the first day of operation for the time being.
“Accountability in action”
The editorial board of the Seattle Times this week opined favorably on charter school accountability in Washington State. They cite findings from a routine audit which revealed teacher licensure violations in three schools, for which three schools will be held accountable. This outcome, the editors write, “should alleviate critics’ fears about oversight of the public charter school system.”
Proposed changes to CSP
The Biden Administration this week unveiled a new set of proposed guidelines for the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) which merit attention. While many of the changes appear neutral on their face, if they are approved—and implemented aggressively—they could substantially impact which schools qualify for federal support going forward. Anyone interested in opening a new school in the near future should definitely take note. Expect to hear more about the proposed changes in the coming weeks.
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