Idaho Senate Backs Contentious Charter School Contract Bill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Charter schools would no longer be required to use the same teacher contracts as other public schools under a new bill that has cleared the Idaho Senate.

Senate lawmakers voted 22-13 Monday to allow charter schools to create their own contracts without approval from the state's superintendent of public instruction. The bill is staunchly opposed by the state teacher union, school board association and school administers. They warn that the legislation will create two classes of public school teachers.

However, Republican Sen. Bob Nonini, of Coeur d'Alene, countered that the bill does not require charter schools to opt out of using the superintendent-approved language.