Some charter school facts

Dear editor:

Just to set the record straight...

1. Charter schools are publicly funded schools (tuition free) and as such are required to follow all of the laws governing public schools.

2. Public charter schools do not choose students; students choose public charter schools because of their unique programs.

3. Public charter schools are funded the same as any traditional public school of comparable size and composition with one exception -- they can have a student-teacher ratio as large as they can maintain.

4. Public charter schools are funded by state tax dollars. Not one dime comes from local taxation.

5. Unlike traditional public schools, public charter schools cannot tax the community for building construction or maintenance. They must borrow money like any individual and, unlike traditional public schools, make the payment out of their operating funds.

Richard McKenna Charter High School is a "Brick n' Click" charter school founded in 2002. Over 700 students enroll in our program annually -- 50 or so attend our physical campus in Mountain Home, Idaho; the remainder come from throughout the state and attend our virtual campus online.

Our unique school model allows us to live within our means and save for a rainy day. We had the good fortune of saving money for seven years to pay for the beautiful building we have today.

I am happy to answer any questions anyone might have about charter schools in general, or Richard McKenna Charter High School in particular.

-- Larry Slade, director, Richard McKenna Charter High School