2008 Legislation
Print Friendly

HOUSE BILL NO. 552<br /> – Idaho Digital Learning Academy

HOUSE BILL NO. 552

View Bill Status

View Bill Text

View Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



Text to be added within a bill has been marked with Bold and
Underline. Text to be removed has been marked with
Strikethrough and Italic. How these codes are actually displayed will
vary based on the browser software you are using.

This sentence is marked with bold and underline to show added text.

This sentence is marked with strikethrough and italic, indicating
text to be removed.

Bill Status



H0552..........................................................by EDUCATION
IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY - Amends existing law to provide that the
Idaho Digital Learning Academy shall be a governmental entity; to revise
powers and duties of the Board of Directors of the Academy; to provide for
liability; to provide for insurance; to create the "Digital Learning
Academy Fund"; to revise provisions regarding courses, credits earned and
accreditation; and to provide that the Idaho Digital Learning Academy is an
employer for Public Employee Retirement System purposes.

02/22    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/25    Rpt prt - to 2nd rdg
02/26    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/03    3rd rdg - PASSED - 69-0-1
      AYES -- Anderson, Andrus, Barrett, Bayer, Bedke, Bell, Bilbao, Black,
      Block, Bock, Boe, Bolz, Bowers, Brackett, Bradford, Chadderdon,
      Chavez, Chew, Clark, Collins, Crane, Durst, Eskridge, Hagedorn, Hart,
      Harwood, Henbest, Henderson, Jaquet, Killen, King, Kren, Labrador,
      Lake, Loertscher, Luker, Marriott, Mathews, McGeachin, Mortimer,
      Moyle, Nielsen, Nonini, Pasley-Stuart, Patrick, Pence, Raybould,
      Ringo, Roberts, Ruchti, Rusche, Sayler, Schaefer, Shepherd(02),
      Shepherd(08), Shirley, Shively, Smith(24), Smith(30), Snodgrass,
      Stevenson, Thayn, Thomas, Trail, Vander Woude, Wills, Wood(27),
      Wood(35), Mr. Speaker
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- LeFavour
    Floor Sponsor - Shirley
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/04    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to Educ
03/06    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/07    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/10    3rd rdg - PASSED - 34-0-1
      AYES -- Andreason, Bair, Bastian, Bilyeu, Broadsword, Burkett,
      Cameron, Coiner, Corder, Darrington, Davis, Fulcher, Gannon, Geddes,
      Goedde, Hammond, Heinrich, Hill, Jorgenson, Kelly, Keough, Langhorst,
      Little, Lodge, Malepeai(Sagness), McGee, McKague, Pearce, Richardson,
      Schroeder, Siddoway, Stegner, Stennett, Werk
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- McKenzie
    Floor Sponsors - Bastian & Acting Senator Sagness
    Title apvd - to House
03/11    To enrol - Rpt enrol - Sp signed
03/12    Pres signed - To Governor
03/14    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 119
         Effective: 07/01/08

Bill Text




                                                                       
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2008

                                                                       

                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 552

                                   BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO THE IDAHO DIGITAL  LEARNING  ACADEMY;  AMENDING  SECTION  33-5502,
  3        IDAHO  CODE,  TO  REVISE  LEGISLATIVE  FINDINGS AND GOAL; AMENDING SECTION
  4        33-5503, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  PUBLIC
  5        INSTRUCTION IS A VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE IDAHO DIG-
  6        ITAL  LEARNING  ACADEMY;   AMENDING SECTION 33-5504, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE
  7        DUTIES OF THE ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AMENDING CHAPTER 55,  TITLE  33,
  8        IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 33-5504A, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-
  9        VIDE  THAT  THE  IDAHO  DIGITAL  LEARNING  ACADEMY SHALL BE A GOVERNMENTAL
 10        ENTITY, TO PROVIDE FOR LIABILITY, TO PROVIDE FOR INSURANCE, TO PROVIDE FOR
 11        UNLAWFUL ACTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATIVES OF DIRECTORS  BEING  CONSIDERED
 12        FOR EMPLOYMENT; AMENDING CHAPTER 55, TITLE 33, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION
 13        OF  A NEW SECTION 33-5504B, IDAHO CODE, TO CREATE THE IDAHO DIGITAL LEARN-
 14        ING ACADEMY FUND AND TO PROVIDE FOR EXPENDITURES AND  A  BUDGET;  AMENDING
 15        SECTION  33-5505,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO  REVISE  DEFINITIONS; AMENDING SECTION
 16        33-5506, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING COURSES, CREDIT EARNED
 17        IN COURSES AND ACCREDITATION; AMENDING SECTION  33-5507,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO
 18        DELETE  REFERENCE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL; AND AMENDING SECTION 59-1374, IDAHO
 19        CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING ACADEMY  IS  AN  EMPLOYER
 20        FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PURPOSES.

 21    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

 22        SECTION  1.  That  Section 33-5502, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 23    amended to read as follows:

 24        33-5502.  CREATION -- LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS -- GOAL. (1)  There  is  hereby
 25    created  within  the  state department of education the Idaho digital learning
 26    academy, a public school-choice learning  environment  which  joins  the  best
 27    technology  with  the best instructional practices. The Idaho digital learning
 28    academy  as provided for in this chapter, is not a single department of  state
 29    government  unto  itself,  nor is it  a part of any of the twenty (20) depart-
 30    ments of state government authorized by section 20, article IV, of the consti-
 31    tution of the state of Idaho, or of  the  departments  prescribed  in  section
 32    67-2402,  Idaho Code. It is legislative intent that the Idaho digital learning
 33    academy operate and be recognized not as a state agency or department, but  as
 34    a governmental entity whose creation has been authorized by the state, much in
 35    the manner as other single purpose districts.
 36        (2)  The  legislature finds that it is in the best public interest to cre-
 37    ate the Idaho digital learning academy based on findings that indicate:
 38        (a)  Technology continues to impact all facets of life, including the edu-
 39        cation of students of school age and adult learners;
 40        (b)  Systems for delivery of education are as diverse as the learners;
 41        (c)  Public school systems are seeking high  quality  educational  choices
 42        within  the public system, and are aligning curriculum and assessment with
 43        state achievement standards; and

                                       2

  1        (d)  The development of a comprehensive digital  learning  environment  is
  2        cost prohibitive for individual school districts.
  3        (3)  The goal of the digital learning academy is to provide choice, acces-
  4    sibility,  flexibility, quality and equity in curricular offerings for second-
  5    ary students in this state.

  6        SECTION  2.  That  Section 33-5503, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  7    amended to read as follows:

  8        33-5503.  ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (1) There is hereby created an acad-
  9    emy board of directors which shall be  responsible  for  the  development  and
 10    oversight of the Idaho digital learning academy.
 11        (2)  The academy board of directors shall be comprised of seven eight (78)
 12    voting members and two one (21) nonvoting members as follows:
 13        (a)  Three  (3)  members shall be superintendents, each elected to a three
 14        (3) year term and each representing  two  (2)  educational  classification
 15        regions  as  established by the state board of education. One (1) superin-
 16        tendent shall be elected from among the superintendents in regions one and
 17        two on a rotating term basis between the two (2) regions; one (1) superin-
 18        tendent shall be elected from among the superintendents in  regions  three
 19        and four on a rotating term basis between the two (2) regions; and one (1)
 20        superintendent  shall be elected from among the superintendents in regions
 21        five and six on a rotating term basis between the two (2) regions;
 22        (b)  Two (2) members shall be high school principals, each  elected  to  a
 23        three (3) year term by the governing body of the Idaho association of sec-
 24        ondary school administrators;
 25        (c)  Two  (2)  members shall be citizens at-large who are not professional
 26        educators, appointed by the members of the academy board, each to  a  term
 27        of three (3) years; and
 28        (d)  The state superintendent of public instruction shall be a voting mem-
 29        ber  and  shall  serve  concurrently  with the term of office to which the
 30        state superintendent is elected;
 31        (e)  Two One (21) members shall be an ex officio, nonvoting  members:  (i)
 32        the  state  superintendent  of  public instruction who shall serve concur-
 33        rently with the term of  office  to  which  the  state  superintendent  is
 34        elected,  and (ii) a member appointed by the academy board of directors to
 35        serve as secretary to the academy board.
 36        (3)  For purposes of establishing staggered terms of office,  the  initial
 37    term  of office for the superintendent position representing educational clas-
 38    sification regions one and two shall be one (1) year, and thereafter shall  be
 39    three  (3)  years.  The initial term of office for the superintendent position
 40    representing educational classification regions three and four  shall  be  two
 41    (2)  years,  and thereafter shall be three (3) years. The superintendent posi-
 42    tion representing educational classification regions five  and  six  shall  be
 43    three  (3) years. The initial term of office for one (1) high school principal
 44    position shall be one (1) year and thereafter shall be three  (3)  years,  and
 45    the  initial term of office for the other high school principal position shall
 46    be two (2) years and thereafter shall be three (3) years. The initial term  of
 47    office  for one (1) member at-large shall be one (1) year and thereafter shall
 48    be three (3) years, and the term of office for the other member at-large shall
 49    be three (3) years.
 50        (4)  No voting member shall serve for more than two (2)  consecutive  full
 51    terms.  Members  of  the board who are appointed to fill vacancies which occur
 52    prior to the expiration of a former member's full term shall serve  the  unex-
 53    pired portion of such term.

                                       3

  1        (5)  The  board  shall  meet  in person at least three (3) times annually;
  2    none of these three (3) meetings shall be  conducted  by  telephone  or  video
  3    conferencing.

  4          SECTION 3.  That Section 33-5504, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  5    amended to read as follows:

  6        33-5504.  DUTIES OF THE ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  The  board  shall  be
  7    responsible for ensuring that academy procedures and courses are in compliance
  8    with  the rules of the state board of education and applicable statutes of the
  9    state of Idaho. In addition, the board shall:
 10        (1)  Recommend policies to be established by rule of the state  board  for
 11    effecting the purposes of this chapter.
 12        (2)  Employ or contract with staff as follows: necessary and purchase such
 13    supplies  and  equipment  as are necessary to implement the provisions of this
 14    chapter, which purchases shall be exempt from the purchasing laws  in  chapter
 15    57, title 67, Idaho Code.
 16        (a)  A  director  who  shall  be  responsible for staff development, staff
 17        evaluation, program development and oversight, and quality assurance;
 18        (b)  A curriculum and instruction coordinator who shall be responsible for
 19        training faculty in online course design, development  and  delivery,  and
 20        shall assist the director in quality assurance;
 21        (c)  Clerical  staff  as necessary to manage student information, maintain
 22        student records, manage academy correspondence, and oversee  basic  finan-
 23        cial accounting as directed;
 24        (d)  Appropriate technology staff who shall support faculty in understand-
 25        ing  and  applying  the technical aspects of online course development and
 26        delivery;
 27        (e3)  To enter into contracts with any other governmental or public agency
 28    whereby the board agrees to render services to or for such agency in  exchange
 29    for  a  charge reasonably calculated to cover the costs of rendering such ser-
 30    vice.
 31        (4)  To accept, receive and utilize any gifts, grants or  funds  and  per-
 32    sonal  and  real property that may be donated to it for the fulfillment of the
 33    purposes outlined in this chapter.
 34        (5)  Employ or contract with necessary fFaculty and teaching staff who are
 35    fully certificated Idaho teachers or administrators,  to  design  and  deliver
 36    planned  curriculum content. Such staff shall be provided appropriate and suf-
 37    ficient training as necessary The academy shall be exempt from the  provisions
 38    of sections 33-513, 33-514, 33-514A, 33-515 and 33-515A, Idaho Code, and shall
 39    be  exempt from chapter 53, title 67, Idaho Code. All teaching and educational
 40    staff  of  the  academy shall be exempt, at will employees. The number of such
 41    staff shall largely be dictated by the number of  courses  under  development,
 42    the  number  of  courses  offered, and the number of students participating in
 43    academy programs.
 44        (36)  Obtain housing where actual operations of the academy are  conducted
 45    by academy staff.
 46        (47)  Contract  with  a  service  provider for delivery of academy courses
 47    online which shall be accessible twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7)  days
 48    a week.
 49        (58)  Ensure  that the academy is accredited by the state of Idaho and the
 50    northwest accreditation association as established by rule of the state  board
 51    of education.
 52        (69)  Develop policy for earning credit in courses based on mastery of the
 53    subject,  demonstrated  competency,  and  meeting  the  standards set for each

                                       4

  1    course.
  2        (710) Provide for articulating the content of certain high school  courses
  3    with  college  and  university  courses in order to award both high school and
  4    undergraduate college credit.
  5        (811) Develop policies and practices which provide strict  application  of
  6    time limits for completion of courses.
  7        (912) Develop  policies  and practices on accountability, both by the stu-
  8    dent and the teacher,  and  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section
  9    33-5507, Idaho Code.
 10        (103) Manage  the  moneys disbursed to the academy board from the superin-
 11    tendent.
 12        (114) Set fees charged to school districts for student participation; fees
 13    charged for summer school; and fees charged to students and adults for profes-
 14    sional development offerings.
 15        (15) Contract with a certified public accounting firm to conduct an annual
 16    audit of the Idaho digital learning academy.

 17        SECTION 4.  That Chapter 55, Title 33, Idaho Code, be,  and  the  same  is
 18    hereby  amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-
 19    ignated as Section 33-5504A, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

 20        33-5504A.  GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY -- LIABILITY -- INSURANCE.  (1)  The  Idaho
 21    digital learning academy shall be a governmental entity as provided in section
 22    33-5502,  Idaho Code. For the purposes of section 59-1302(15), Idaho Code, the
 23    Idaho digital learning academy created  pursuant  to  this  chapter  shall  be
 24    deemed  a governmental entity. Pursuant to the provisions of section 63-3622O,
 25    Idaho Code, sales to or purchases by the Idaho digital learning  academy   are
 26    exempt from payment of the sales and use tax. The Idaho digital learning acad-
 27    emy  and its board of directors are subject to the following provisions in the
 28    same manner as a traditional public school and the  board  of  trustees  of  a
 29    school district:
 30        (a)  Sections  18-1351 through 18-1362, Idaho Code, on bribery and corrupt
 31        influence, except as provided by section 33-5204A(2), Idaho Code;
 32        (b)  Chapter 2, title 59, Idaho Code, on  prohibitions  against  contracts
 33        with officers;
 34        (c)  Chapter 7, title 59, Idaho Code, on ethics in government;
 35        (d)  Chapter 23, title 67, Idaho Code, on open public meetings; and
 36        (e)  Chapter 3, title 9, Idaho Code, on disclosure of public records.
 37        (2)  The  Idaho  digital  learning  academy  may sue or be sued, purchase,
 38    receive, hold and convey real and personal property for school  purposes,  and
 39    its  employees,  directors  and  officers  shall  enjoy the same immunities as
 40    employees, directors and officers of traditional public school  districts  and
 41    other  public  schools,  including those provided by chapter 9, title 6, Idaho
 42    Code.
 43        (3)  The Idaho digital learning academy  shall secure insurance  for  lia-
 44    bility and property loss.
 45        (4)  It shall be unlawful for:
 46        (a)  Any director to have pecuniary interest directly or indirectly in any
 47        contract  or other transaction pertaining to the maintenance or conduct of
 48        the Idaho digital learning academy, or to accept any reward  or  compensa-
 49        tion  for  services rendered as a director except as may be otherwise pro-
 50        vided in this subsection (4). The board of directors of the Idaho  digital
 51        learning  academy may accept and award contracts involving the Idaho digi-
 52        tal learning academy to businesses in  which  the  director  or  a  person
 53        related  to  him  by blood or marriage within the second degree of consan-

                                       5

  1        guinity has a direct or indirect interest, provided  that  the  procedures
  2        set  forth  in  section 18-1361 or 18-1361A, Idaho Code, are followed. The
  3        receiving, soliciting or acceptance of moneys of the Idaho digital  learn-
  4        ing  academy  for  deposit in any bank or trust company, or the lending of
  5        moneys by any bank or trust company to the Idaho digital learning academy,
  6        shall not be deemed to be a contract pertaining to the maintenance or con-
  7        duct of the Idaho digital learning academy within the meaning of this sec-
  8        tion; nor shall the payment of compensation by the Idaho digital  learning
  9        academy  board of directors to any bank or trust company for services ren-
 10        dered in the transaction of any banking business with  the  Idaho  digital
 11        learning academy board of directors be deemed the payment of any reward or
 12        compensation  to any officer or director of any such bank or trust company
 13        within the meaning of this section.
 14        (b)  The board of directors of the Idaho digital learning academy to enter
 15        into or execute any contract with the spouse of any member of such  board,
 16        the  terms of which said contract require, or will require, the payment or
 17        delivery of any Idaho digital learning academy funds, moneys  or  property
 18        to  such  spouse, except as provided in section 18-1361 or 18-1361A, Idaho
 19        Code.
 20        (5)  When any relative of any director, or relative of  the  spouse  of  a
 21    director  related by affinity or consanguinity within the second degree, is to
 22    be considered for employment in  the  Idaho  digital  learning  academy,  such
 23    director shall abstain from voting in the election of such relative, and shall
 24    be  absent  from  the  meeting  while  such employment is being considered and
 25    determined.

 26        SECTION 5.  That Chapter 55, Title 33, Idaho Code, be,  and  the  same  is
 27    hereby  amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-
 28    ignated as Section 33-5504B, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

 29        33-5504B.  EXPENDITURES -- BUDGET. (1) There  is  hereby  created  in  the
 30    state treasury the Idaho digital learning academy fund. The fund shall consist
 31    of  appropriations,  fees,  grants, gifts or moneys from any other source. The
 32    state treasurer shall invest all idle moneys in the fund and  interest  earned
 33    on such investments shall be retained by the fund.
 34        (2)  On or before the first Monday in July, there will be held at the time
 35    and  place  determined  by  the Idaho digital learning academy board, a budget
 36    meeting and public hearing upon the  proposed  budget  of  the  Idaho  digital
 37    learning  academy.  Notice  of  the budget meeting and public hearing shall be
 38    posted at least ten (10) full days prior to the date  of  the  meeting  in  at
 39    least one (1) conspicuous place to be determined by the Idaho digital learning
 40    academy  board  of  directors. The place, hour and day of the hearing shall be
 41    specified in the notice, as well as the place where such budget may  be  exam-
 42    ined  prior to the hearing. On or before the first Monday in July a budget for
 43    the Idaho digital learning academy shall be agreed upon and  approved  by  the
 44    majority of the Idaho digital learning academy board of directors.

 45        SECTION  6.  That  Section 33-5505, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 46    amended to read as follows:

 47        33-5505.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this chapter:
 48        (1)  "Academy board," also referred to in  this  chapter  as  "the  board"
 49    means  the  board  of  directors of the Idaho digital learning academy as such
 50    board is created in section 33-5503, Idaho Code.
 51        (2)  "Host district" means an Idaho school district where the fiscal oper-

                                       6

  1    ations of the Idaho digital learning academy are housed until January 1, 2009.
  2        (3)  "Idaho digital learning academy" means an online educational  program
  3    organized  as  a fully accredited secondary school with statewide capabilities
  4    for delivering accredited courses to Idaho resident students in  grades  seven
  5    (7)  through  twelve (12) at no cost to the student unless the student enrolls
  6    in additional courses beyond full-time enrollment. Participation in the  acad-
  7    emy  by  public  school students shall be in compliance with academy and local
  8    school district policies. Adult learners and out-of-state students  shall  pay
  9    tuition commensurate with rates established by the state board with the advice
 10    of  the  superintendent,  and  such  funds shall be included in the budget and
 11    audit of the academy's fiscal records.
 12        (4)  "State board" means the Idaho state board of education. The board  is
 13    authorized  and  directed,  with  the advice and recommendation of the academy
 14    board of directors, to promulgate rules to implement the  provisions  of  this
 15    chapter.
 16        (5)  "Superintendent"  means  the  Idaho  state  superintendent  of public
 17    instruction.

 18        SECTION 7.  That Section 33-5506, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 19    amended to read as follows:

 20        33-5506.  COURSES  --  DEVELOPMENT -- BROKERED -- CREDIT -- ACCREDITATION.
 21    Online courses shall reflect state of  the  art  in  multimedia-based  digital
 22    learning. Courses offered shall be of high quality in appearance and presenta-
 23    tion,  and  shall  be designed to meet the needs of all students regardless of
 24    the student's level of learning.
 25        (1)  All courses developed under the auspices of the academy are the prop-
 26    erty of the academy. Courses may be developed by qualified Idaho teachers  who
 27    possess  the  necessary technical background and instructional expertise. Such
 28    persons may also be hired to deliver the course online. Nothing shall  prevent
 29    the  board  from  providing additional training to teachers in the development
 30    and online delivery of courses.
 31        (2)  At the discretion of the board with consideration for necessity, con-
 32    venience and cost effectiveness, brokered courses developed by outside sources
 33    may be obtained for use by the academy; however, such courses shall be  taught
 34    online by Idaho teachers unless special circumstances determined by the direc-
 35    tor require a waiver of this requirement.
 36        (3)  Credit  earned  Grade  percentages  in courses shall be based on such
 37    criteria as mastery of the subject, demonstrated competency, and  meeting  the
 38    standards  set  for each course, in contrast to credit earned in a traditional
 39    classroom based on time spent in the classroom.
 40        (4)  All courses shall meet criteria established by the state of Idaho and
 41    the northwest accreditation association as necessary for accreditation of  the
 42    academy.

 43        SECTION  8.  That  Section 33-5507, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 44    amended to read as follows:

 45        33-5507.  REGISTRATION -- ACCOUNTABILITY. (1) A student may register  with
 46    the  academy upon recommendation from a traditional school counselor or admin-
 47    istrator, or may register directly with the academy if  there  is  no  current
 48    public  school affiliation. However, in order for coursework completed through
 49    the academy to be recorded on the  student's  transcript,  the  student  shall
 50    indicate which secondary school is to receive and record credits earned.
 51        (2)  Students who register for courses shall provide the name of a respon-

                                       7

  1    sible  adult  who  shall  be  the contact person for the academy in situations
  2    which require consultation regarding the student's conduct and performance.  A
  3    designated  responsible adult for students  with a school affiliation may be a
  4    teacher, a counselor or a distance learning  coordinator.  For  home  schooled
  5    students, a parent or guardian may be designated.
  6        (3)  Policies  of accountability as established by rule of the state board
  7    shall address the special conditions which exist in an environment where there
  8    is reduced face-to-face contact between student and  teacher;  where  students
  9    access  courses at any time of day, from any location and at the student's own
 10    pace; where online etiquette and  ethics  should  be  clearly  understood  and
 11    required  of  all participants; and where all students' participation is moni-
 12    tored by online teachers and academy personnel.
 13        (4)  Policies shall be established by rule of the state board for student-
 14    related issues including taking exams, proctored or unproctored; ensuring that
 15    the work is being done by the student; and ensuring that ethical  conduct  and
 16    proper etiquette are always observed by all participants.

 17        SECTION  9.  That  Section 59-1374, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 18    amended to read as follows:

 19        59-1374.  EMPLOYERS -- MEMBERS -- EXCEPTIONS. All school districts, public
 20    community college districts and Boise State University shall become  employers
 21    pursuant  to  the  provisions  of chapter 13, title 59, Idaho Code, on July 1,
 22    1967, except as herein otherwise provided. School employees shall become  mem-
 23    bers  pursuant  to the provisions of chapter 13, title 59, Idaho Code, on July
 24    1, 1967, except as herein otherwise provided. Provided, however, that  teacher
 25    members employed by the agricultural extension service of the college of agri-
 26    culture  of  the  University  of  Idaho shall be deemed to be employees of the
 27    state of Idaho notwithstanding the provisions  of  section  59-1302(14)(B)(e),
 28    Idaho Code, and may elect to participate or be excluded as members of the sys-
 29    tem  in accordance with rules of the board. All public charter schools created
 30    pursuant to chapter 52, title 33, Idaho Code, shall be employers  pursuant  to
 31    the provisions of chapter 13, title 59, Idaho Code. The Idaho digital learning
 32    academy  created  pursuant  to  chapter  55, title 33, Idaho Code, shall be an
 33    employer pursuant to the provisions of this chapter 13, title 59, Idaho Code.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                             RS 17963

The purpose of this legislation is to provide the Idaho Digital
Learning Academy with financial independence from a host school
district.  All changes allow IDLA to continue operating in the same
fashion as the preceding five years.

An additional change allows IDLA to extend service to students in
lower grades due to growth and to accommodate our stakeholder
needs.  Currently gifted and talented math students in sixth grade
take IDLA pre-algebra.  This change will allow our law to reflect
an existing service that IDLA provides to gifted and talented
students in the state. 

                                 
                          FISCAL NOTE

This proposed legislation has no fiscal impact.  The changes allow
financial independence and extend current and future course
offerings to lower grades.
                                                       





Contact
Name: Representative Mack Shirley       Senator Stan Bastian
Phone: (208) 332-1000                   Senator Dick Sagness 
Representative Pete Nielsen             Donna Vakili, IDLA
Representative Rich Wills               (208) 342-0207      
Representative Donna Boe           


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                         H 552