RS30262 / S1101

This bill proposes to update Idaho code on "Open Enrollment" so that families can more easily send their children to the public school that works best for them. This is the first comprehensive update to the law in 30 years. Current law allows local school districts to opt out of Open Enrollment altogether, allows districts to charge parents tuition when their child enrolls from other districts, and allows administrators to deny enrollment for reasons other than capacity, such as discipline issues or poor grades. Many school districts have modern Open Enrollment policies reflective of the new era of student mobility, simple transfer of data and up-to-date reporting. However, the law has not kept up and is outdated in a time when schools and districts are competing to offer new, popular and modern curriculum and programs.

There is no impact to the general fund. Local school districts are able to transfer funds as needed to account for student movement, and districts receiving a big influx of students are able to tap state resources more easily thanks to the shift to enrollment-based funding.

Bill Text

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note

Bill on Idaho Legislature site