Charter schools allowed to join Stevens County school district

Mary Walker School District trustees voted to allow charter schools around the state to join the small district near Springdale, Wash., according to a news release.

Schools joining the district will be classified as an Alternative Learning Experience under state law. ALEs allow for off-campus instruction, with the schools reporting student progress to the district. A school district receives state money for students enrolled in an ALE program. The arrangement would keep charter schools open despite a Washington state Supreme Court ruling declaring their funding source unconstitutional. The district’s board approved the proposal on Dec. 30.

The partnership is designed as a short-term solution. Spokane’s two charter schools plan to join the Mary Walker School District.