This bill amends Sections 33-512 and 33-5206 of the Idaho Code to establish a new requirement that instructional hours in both school districts and public charter schools cannot begin prior to the Tuesday following Labor Day. The amendment to Section 33-512 includes a new subsection (j) that explicitly states this requirement for school districts, while Section 33-5206 is similarly amended to reflect the same stipulation for public charter schools. The bill declares an emergency and sets an effective date for these changes, aiming to standardize the academic calendar across Idaho's educational institutions and align school schedules with community activities around the Labor Day holiday.

Additionally, the bill outlines provisions regarding the operations and accountability of charter schools, emphasizing that charter holders must maintain responsibility for their schools' academic, fiscal, and organizational outcomes without delegating this responsibility. It mandates that contracts with educational service providers ensure that assets purchased with public funds remain the property of the school and requires charter holders to consult independent legal counsel for management contracts. The bill also details admission procedures for public charter schools, stipulating that initial admissions should be determined by a lottery or random method, with preferences for certain groups, and allows for weighted lotteries to favor educationally disadvantaged students. The new instructional hour requirement for public charter schools is included in these provisions, and the bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-512, 33-5206