House Bill 28, a Board of Public Education requested bill that clarifies the public charter school approval process and funding for newly formed charter districts, was the subject of executive action in the House Education Committee.

Committee members first moved and adopted amendment HB0028.001.001. The amendment, explained by staff and the Board of Public Education’s executive director, provides that route‑2 public charter school districts (those established independently when a local board declines to sponsor a charter) can receive per A&B entitlement and related payments in their first year based on estimated enrollment. The amendment also includes that Indian Education for All, Data for Achievement and Special Education Allowable Cost payments may be calculated from the estimated first‑year A&B count and includes a mechanism for the state to recover (claw back) overpayments if a charter district overestimates first‑year students.

McCall Flynn, executive director of the Board of Public Education, told the committee that the amendment aims to prevent newly formed route‑2 charter districts from opening without any funding because those new entities lack historical A&B counts on which the regular budget calculation relies. She said the board supports the amendment as a way to provide initial operating resources.

After adopting the amendment, the committee moved HB 28 as amended and held a roll‑call vote. The roll call recorded the following votes: Representative Portillo — Aye; Representative Nikolakakos — Aye; Representative Essman — Aye; Representative Eiseley — Aye; Representative Flinish — Aye; Representative Deming — No; Representative Seekins Crowe — No; Representative Elvrom — Aye; Representative Thane — Aye; Representative Strand — Aye; Representative Tillman — Aye; Representative Overstreet — No; Representative Romano — Aye; Representative Gregg — No; Representative Rexton — Aye. The committee vote total was 11 ayes and 4 nays; the committee passed HB 28 as amended and will send the bill to the House floor.