relative to charter schools.
last updated 03/15/03, 2:00PM
From House Journal No. 18, 02/20/03
HB 135-FN-L, relative to charter schools. MAJORITY: OUGHT TO PASS.
MINORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. John R. M. Alger for the Majority of Education: This bill creates a 10-year pilot program of up to 2 charter schools per year with
charter approval by the state board of education. It simplifies the existing law so we finally may get charter schools started to serve
educational niches on either a local or regional basis without immediate cost to the local school districts because state grants are
awarded on delayed attendance. The charter school can receive a bankable reimbursement anticipation note for early student payable in
three years until attendance records catch up with the students. The local school board must approve transfers to a charter school of
more than 5% of resident pupils in each grade. Vote 13-6.
Rep. Deanna P. Rush for the Minority of Education: The minority feels this bill needs additional work and could be considered an
unfunded mandate under RSA 28-a. The lack of a fiscal note for this bill sets a dangerous precedent. The Department of Education
indicates this bill may increase local expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2004, and each year thereafter. The state also
becomes the LEA (Local Education Authority) for special education students. This bill eliminates the local approval process and does
not even provide for informational hearings. In addition, there is the issue of the 3 year log in the transfer of funds from the state.
Rep. Rush spoke against.
Reps. Hunt and Alger spoke in favor.
Reps. Burling and Jacobson spoke against and yielded to questions.
Rep. Peter Sullivan spoke in favor and yielded to questions.
Rep. Rush requested a roll call; sufficiently seconded.
The question being adoption of the majority committee report.
YEAS 242 NAYS 121