IdahoH 07622026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public charter school admission procedures.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Basic protections for charter students and staff

Beginning July 1, 2026, charter schools must be nonsectarian. They cannot charge tuition, levy taxes, or issue bonds, and they must follow IDEA. Schools cannot base admission on where a student or parent lives in the district. A district cannot force an employee to work at a charter school or require any student to attend a charter school.

Charter admissions: lotteries, priorities, deadlines

Beginning July 1, 2026, initial admission uses a lottery or other random method. Schools must post the enrollment deadline, next‑year capacity, and a nondiscrimination notice. When seats are tight, preferences apply: up to 10% for founders’ children, then siblings, then school‑selected groups (like active‑duty military families or approved transfers), then students in the primary attendance area, then lottery. Lotteries may be weighted for students at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, homeless or foster youth, children with disabilities, limited‑English students, and other at‑risk students; children of full‑time employees may be included within the top priority group with limits. Lotteries happen within seven days after the deadline, with 48 hours’ public notice; offers go out within seven days and must be signed by the date in the letter. Returning students come first in later years, a new lottery fills vacancies each year, and schools may add from the wait list without exceeding the charter’s authorized total.

Flexible charter teacher credentials and training

Beginning July 1, 2026, charter‑specific teaching certificates must meet listed state provisions and require a bachelor’s degree, or follow the special CTE rule for CTE teachers. The State Board issues these certificates on a charter school’s recommendation unless denial grounds in law apply. Charter‑certified teachers must receive mentoring and ongoing professional development approved by the charter holder. A charter may use its own PD in place of state PD if the same credit hours are required.

New path to charter administrator certificate

Beginning July 1, 2026, a charter school administrator certificate requires a bachelor’s degree, a criminal history check, a three‑credit course on teacher evaluations with a lab, and a support letter from a charter holder. You must also meet one option: 4+ years running a charter, a post‑bacc degree plus 5 years’ admin experience, a national charter leaders fellowship, or 4+ years teaching plus a one‑year mentor. The certificate is valid five years and is renewable. The Professional Standards Commission may deny or revoke for the reasons in state law.

Teacher contracts and bargaining at charters

Beginning July 1, 2026, charter teachers and administrators must have written employment contracts. Certified charter teachers are treated as public school teachers, and their experience counts with school districts. Charter school staff are a separate bargaining unit.

CTE funding parity in charter schools

Beginning July 1, 2026, career‑technical programs taught by charter‑certified teachers get the same added‑cost funding as programs taught by occupational‑certified teachers, as defined in state law.

Stronger guardrails on charter boards and providers

Beginning July 1, 2026, service providers to charters must be separate third‑party entities, not government entities. No more than one‑third of a charter board may be nonprofit provider representatives, and they cannot be employees of the school or provider, or serve as board president or treasurer; for‑profit providers cannot sit on boards. Charter holders must keep final accountability for academics, finances, and operations. Each year, charter holders must disclose conflicts of interest with affiliated providers.

Tighter charter contracts and public asset protections

Beginning July 1, 2026, management contracts must allow the board to end the deal after notice and a reasonable cure period if standards are not met. Assets bought with public funds for a school stay the school’s property. Charter holders must use independent legal counsel and keep facility leases or purchases separate from management contracts. For virtual charters, the provider must take on financial risk if school funds are short, and audited financial statements must be available.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

David J. Leavitt
Republican • House
WoodwardTitle apvd - to House
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 92 • No: 8

House vote • 3/17/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 30 • No: 4

House vote • 3/2/2026