CSD Mulls Charter Reauthorization

Since Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy opened its doors to students in 1999, the Coeur d’Alene School District has served as the school’s authorizing entity. But that may change. Idaho charter school law was amended last year and now calls for all agencies to reauthorize charter schools under their authority. Coeur d’Alene School District Superintendent Matt Handelman told trustees earlier this month that the district’s administration is exploring whether another agency can authorize Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy. “Although Charter operates very independently, we essentially subsidize them, and there’s a question of whether that’s in our best interest as a school district,” Handelman said. Although charter schools are free, public schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure, they must be authorized by a school board or by the Idaho Public Charter School Commission/ Maureen Dolan , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here . (Gabe Green CdA Press photo: Giana Posely scans her notebook Thursday in study hall at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy)

Question: I’m surprised the school district isn’t eager to reauthorize one of the top schools in the country, aren’t you?