Post Falls 2016 Opportunity to Testify Before Legislative Committee re Funding Equity for Mobile Students

My name is Jane Wittmeyer and I am with the Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families.

I recently met many of you at an IDVA Picture Day and spoke to the larger group of parents regarding taking action on seeking equity in school funding for virtual students and mobile students.

I want to let you know about an opportunity to have your voice heard on the matter of equal funding for virtual school students. There is an opportunity for you to testify before a State Committee that is working on a new funding formula for your students.

The Public School Funding Formula Committee will meet on October 17, 2016 beginning at 11:00 A.M at North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, Room 108 in Post Falls, ID. Public testimony will be heard from 5-7 P.M.

If you attend in person you can speak before the Legislators on the Committee.

If you are not able to attend, you could email your Statement to:

Senator Winder, Co-chair                    cwinder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator Mortimer                                dmortimer@senate.idaho.gov

Senator Bayer                                    cbayer@senate.idaho.gov

Senator Thayn                                    sthayn@senate.idaho.gov                           

Senator Ward-Engelking                     jwardenglking@senate.idaho.gov

Representative Horman, Co-chair       WendyHorman@house.idaho.gov

Speaker Bedke                                   sbedke@house.idaho.gov

Representative VanOrden                   jvanorden@house.idaho.gov              

Representative Dixon                         sdixon@house.idaho.gov         

Representative McCrostie                   jmccrostie@house.idaho.gov   

Sherri Ybarra, Superintendent             infosuperintendent@sde.idaho.gov     

Dr. Linda Clark, Board of Education   board@osbe.idaho.gov

This is a rare opportunity for parents and families to let the Legislators know that you support equal funding for virtual and charter school students. (The current formula discriminates against virtual school students and mobile students.)

I hope you will take this opportunity to let the decision makers know that there is support for equity for virtual school students.

See below for a draft you can use.

Draft Statement for your use.

Statement before the Public School Funding Formula Committee

October 2016                    Post Falls, Idaho

My name is _____________ and I have student(s) in a virtual school. I am here today to request this Committee to address the issue of student mobility in Idaho.  As you know, Idaho’s salary formula is based upon average daily attendance which reflects the number of students in class during a set period at the beginning of each school year. This is an old model and needs to be changed to reflect student mobility.

Students don’t stay in one school like they used to. Many students move from one school to another for different reasons during the year. Idaho needs to adopt a new funding formula that accurately reflects actual enrollment.

Clearly, Idaho funds a vastly different school system in 2016. From classroom technology to dual-credit courses to virtual charter schools, the demands on state K-12 dollars have changed.

The old funding formula shows its age in many ways.

I agree, with Rep. Wendy Horman’s recent statement: No one has trouble identifying shortcomings in the current system…. myriad line items fall short of funding needs…Charter school advocates want money to accommodate students who transfer midyear — and they’d like help in 2016, not later.

Thank you for the opportunity to come before the Committee today.