Governor Expected To Sign Bill On Charter Schools

(Des Moines, IA)  —  Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to sign a bill allowing groups to form charter schools without getting approval from the local school board.  That would establish a new method of creating Iowa charter schools.  Groups would apply directly to the Iowa Department of Education.  The measure passed the Senate Wednesday on a 30-to-18 vote along party lines.  The House passed the measure last month.  It now goes to the governor’s desk.  Democrats objected to the creation of looser rules for charter schools and said the state should be focused on supporting existing public schools.  There are currently just two charter schools operating in Iowa.