Board discusses proposed plans for a charter school

The Idaho Falls School Board met with members of the community to discuss proposed plans for a new public charter school.

The proposed charter school would be named Alturas International Academy Charter School.

Supporters of the school said the school curriculum would offer an advanced way of learning with a goal to send more students to college.

One teacher who is in favor of the charter school learning methods believes it will help.

“The International Baccalaureate Charter School is world renowned. It is proven to provide a rigorous education for children. Idaho does not send a lot of its students to college,” said Michelle Ball.

However, not everyone is on board. The Idaho Falls School District Board Trustees addressed concerns for recruiting new students.

“As you can tell, there are some areas we were lacking. We need to improve and add to our charter, which we will do,” said Candise Gilbert, an attendee.

If the charter school is approved, it would not be part of District 91 and, instead, be run independently.

It would also be funded by taxpayers.

The next step in the process is to have the Idaho Public Charter School commission review the petition.

If approved, the school would be up and running by 2016.