Charter school panel named

BOISE — Gov. Dirk Kempthorne on Thursday revealed his long-awaited appointments for the newly created charter school commission, winning praise from political adversaries who warned him not to pick “lightning rods” who have clashed with traditional public school supporters.

New laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year created the charter commission, which will replace the State Board of Education in overseeing charter school operations and hear appeals from organizers who are denied a charter by local school boards. At least two cases are pending already.

The commission must include three people from traditional public schools, three from charter schools and one at-large member. Legislators intended to provide more guidance in charter school governance by creating the commission, and hope it can soothe seething tempers in the charter debate.

Kempthorne chose former State School Board of Education member Jim Hammond to serve in the at-large position.

“Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the commission from his service on the State Board of Education,” Kempthorne said.

“He has been involved with charter school issues practically since their inception in Idaho, and his leadership and experience will be a key part of the success of this commission.”

Also picked for the commission were:

• Esther Van Wart, Pocatello Charter School Vice Chair;

• Kirk Miller, Boise Anser Charter School Board President;

• Paul Powell, Boise Hidden Springs Charter School Board President;

• Bill Goesling, Moscow School Board member;

• Marianne Donnelly, Pocatello School Board member;

• Ann Souza, former chair of the Bonner County School Board.

“Their mission will be to help charter schools be successful and to function as labs for innovative ideas that can be incorporated into traditional public schools,” Kempthorne said.

In recent years, charter schools have become a sore subject among Idaho’s educators, parents and politicians.

Pro-charter school reformers contend they’re breaking new ground in education methods and deserve a chance to grow. Supporters of traditional public schools say charter schools are an attempt to fund private education with public dollars.

The charter school reform legislation passed by the Legislature this year added stricter accountability to charter organizations but also made the charter application process more flexible.

Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, who has opposed charter efforts in the past, said he was impressed. “Sounds like a good group,” said Schroeder, chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

“I wrote a letter to the governor, not asking for specific names, but urging him that the people he picked could either help blend charter schools quietly into the public school system, or they could continue to make the issue a lightning rod.”