Statehouse debates charter school funding
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The debate over facilities funding for charter schools started early this morning, and in the end the House Education Committee voted to approve a boost in charter school monies. Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com
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The debate over facilities funding for charter schools started early this morning, and in the end the House Education Committee voted to approve a boost in charter school monies.
"Being at the higher end of 700 students at the end, it's going to be a game-changer for the decision that the board and I have to make for the future of the kids," Sage International School principal Don Keller says.
Keller says with extra funding -- decisions will be easier, because charter schools won't have to pay rent with money that would be better used for enhancing education.
"All of a sudden, instead of pulling all 15% of my money out of my budget, maybe I only have to pull 7%,” he says.
But, opponents of the bill worry about the overall funding for public schools.
"This bill would actually take funding from the general funds for public schools, and distribute it for facilities for charter schools," says Idaho Education Association executive director Robin Nettinga.
Nettinga says she worries people will view the extra funding as new money from a new pot, but she says it really is just another cut.
"The public schools budget isn't growing. It's simply being cut in a different way," she says.
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