Subcommittee votes 5–1 to send charter school accountability bill to full committee after debate on transparency and procurement

Representative Shannon Erickson, House District 124, opened the subcommittee and said members would discuss a charter school accountability bill referred to in the record as "4 54." After discussion about transparency, procurement and virtual education, the subcommittee voted to report the bill favorably to the full committee.

The chair framed the measure as focused on fiscal oversight rather than program control, saying the bill "is to look at the business at hand, not touching the programmatic much at all," and that the amendments mostly address accountability around core classes and virtual instruction. Erickson told members the public had submitted comments, and that many of those concerns had been incorporated into an amendment packet provided before the meeting.

Members questioned whether the bill adds requirements beyond those that apply to traditional public schools. Representative Kilmartin asked whether authorizers must take training and whether the bill imposes new mandates; Erickson answered that the bill includes training for trustees similar to required board training and adds procurement safeguards intended to prevent sole sourcing and possible conflicts of interest. "We're very careful for not sole sourcing things and having the bid process," Erickson said, and she warned that some arrangements involving vendors could create ethical concerns.

Representative Gilreath voiced support for accountability but cautioned against state overreach into parental choice and programmatic decisions: "I'm still concerned ... that parents put their kids in the charter school to be able to have that school choice and have that freedom without the state delegate and legislate what they do." Erickson replied the bill does not change program content but would increase transparency, for example by requiring that a school's financial "checkbook be online" so parents can follow the dollars.

Members also pressed the bill's staffing provisions. Erickson confirmed the measure requires a school leader or a substitute school leader be on-site each day, explaining that each charter must designate who fills that role in its charter. When Representative Kilmartin asked whether the bill would eliminate virtual charter schools, Erickson said it would not: "I am not aware that we've ever talked about removing the virtual schools. I believe they're OK."

Representative Rivers moved to report the bill favorably out of the subcommittee. The motion was seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call vote: Representatives Duncan, Gilreath, Mitchell, Rivers and Erickson voted aye; Representative Kilmartin voted nay; Representative Vaughn was noted absent along with three other members. The clerk announced the bill was "reported favorably" by a vote of 5 to 1 with 4 absences.

Erickson said the amendment will be taken up in full committee and adjourned the subcommittee. The bill will next be considered at the full committee meeting where members expect to review the amendment and additional details.