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IF School Board Reviewing Proposed Patriotic Charter

A group of local people wants to bring the option of a patriotism-themed school to Idaho Falls District 91, and they want to do it with local support.

On Tuesday night, leaders behind the proposed American Heritage Charter school presented to board members, making their case for why the two entities should work together.

If the local school board doesn’t authorize the school, it could still be approved by the state’s Public Charter School Commission.

But, main petitioner Debra Infanger wants to be a part of the district and work cooperatively with Idaho Falls schools. She opened a similar charter in Gooding a few years ago where that isn’t the case.

North Valley Academy is run through the state and hasn’t had the warmest reception from the Gooding school district. Some reports have said it’s divided the community.

The state issued a notice of defect for achievement results in 2010, but Infanger said that was overturned almost right away because it was a mistake.

Infanger said more than 400 prospective students have already shown interest in the Idaho Falls charter.

Superintendent George Boland said it would offer another curriculum choice for students that’s not just a test since it’s been done already. But he and board members had lots of questions about what kind of role the district would have to take on.

“There are some responsibilities for the chartering entity, whether it’s the district or the state and I think that’s what some of the questions were coming from the board,” said Boland. “Concerns with respect to time and expense associated with oversight.”

“I would like to do it locally because I think it looks better in the community to see the public schools, which we are, working together for the benefit of the children,” said Infanger.

If approved, the school will go in the historic New Sweden building, owned by the Vandersloot Farms. Infanger said Vandersloot and Melaleuca would refurbish it and donate it to the school.

Only a few patrons showed up. There was time for input, but no one spoke.

The board will meet with petitioners again on April 13. Boland said they will make a decision at the regular May 8 board meeting.

The board has three options: It can choose to deny, authorize, or defer to the state.

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