Senate committee hears hours of testimony on bill to allow public charter schools; amendment banning tuition approved

The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 22-41 — legislation to authorize and regulate public charter schools in North Dakota — during a committee meeting. Sponsor Senator Michelle Axeman presented the measure and proponents and opponents from education organizations, parents and rural school leaders testified. The committee approved a technical amendment clarifying charter schools may not charge tuition; the amendment passed 6-0. The committee did not take a final vote on the bill.

Senator Michelle Axeman, who represents District 7, told the committee that the bill would create a “framework for the creation, governance and oversight of public charter schools in North Dakota,” stressing that charter schools are public, open and tuition-free. “What is a public charter school? Well, simply put, charter schools are public schools. There is no cost to attend,” Axeman said, and described the measure as combining flexibility for schools with “a higher level of accountability.” The bill would establish the state superintendent as the sole authorizer and require charter schools to meet state academic and graduation requirements, hire licensed teachers and comply with federal special education law and Section 504 plans.

The sponsor and witnesses described other provisions included in the draft: charter schools would receive the state…