Bill helps charter schools with facility bonds

BOISE (AP) — An Idaho House committee has advanced legislation to help charter schools with the cost of bonding for buildings to house their students.

During Thursday's hearing, Republican Rep. Reed DeMordaunt said his measure helps level the playing field for charter schools. Unlike traditional schools, they can't get money from property taxpayers to buy buildings and borrow at higher interest rates.

His bill allows charter schools that raise money for buildings by issuing bonds to get help from the state in repaying their interest through a program now available to traditional schools.

But Democratic Rep. Brian Cronin opposed the move, saying the program currently helps repay bonds approved by voters, while under the bill, the state would help repay bonds approved by a handful of people, or the charter school's governing board.