Committee advances charter‑school bill allowing limited enrollment preference for students from partnered preschools
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Summary
HB 10‑79 would permit—but not require—charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended licensed early‑learning centers operated by the charter or by a partner under an articulation agreement; the committee adopted amendments expanding preference categories (military, foster care, court‑ordered custody) and reported the bill as amended.
Representative Brett Boudreau (speaker 6) introduced HB 10‑79 to allow charter schools the option to give enrollment preference to children who attended licensed preschool programs operated by the charter or by partner centers that sign articulation agreements. The sponsor emphasized the change is permissive and does not raise enrollment caps.
An amendment expanded the list of eligible students to include children of active‑duty military, children in foster care, and children in court‑ordered custody; members adopted the amendment without objection. Supporters from Charter Schools USA and the Lafayette Charter Foundation described the bill as a tool to improve continuity from pre‑K into kindergarten. Gary McGoffin (speaker 12), an attorney for Lafayette Charter Foundation, said articulation agreements would help align pre‑K curricula and boost enrollment.
The committee reported HB 10‑79 as amended. The bill's sponsor and witnesses said it is intended to be family‑centered and optional for charter operators.
