Grand Forks State Lawmaker Sponsors Legislation That Would Create Charter Schools

Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(Michael Achterling – North Dakota Monitor) – Members of the House Education Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1358, which would create a framework to establish public charter schools in North Dakota.

The bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, said North Dakota is one of five states that doesn’t allow charter schools. He said he believes public charter schools would give parents and students more options in receiving a public education and introduce competition that should bring improvements to educational services.

“The idea behind this is to offer an option for parents to choose another route for educating their child,” Murphy said. He added the only other viable option besides public school in North Dakota is private school that can cost from $7,000 to more than $20,000 per year.

“How is that an option for parents in the lower socioeconomic part of our society?” he said. “What public charter schools do is they give those individuals that option at no additional cost.”