Forum on charter schools scheduled Dec. 12

Several state elected leaders will be at a forum Dec. 12 to discuss public charter schools in the state.

The forum, organized by the Washington Charter Schools Association, League of Education Voters and Act Now for Washington Students, will include discussion by proponents of charter schools about how they could help close achievement gaps between student groups.

State Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, and state Reps. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and Larry Haler, R-Richland, will be on hand along with organizers. The forum will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the World Life Christian Center at 3315 W. Court St. in Pasco

The state Supreme Court invalidated the state’s charter school system, approved by voters, in September after determining they did not meet the standard of a “common school” and thus are not eligible for taxpayer dollars. Charter schools currently operating are being allowed to continue for the remainder of the school year and state lawmakers are working on legislation to allow them to continue.

There are no charter schools in the Tri-Cities. A group based in Sunnyside had pursued an application but it was rejected by state officials.

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Forum on charter schools scheduled Dec. 12."