Updated, 6:40 p.m., to correct a reference to which state program Peace Valley participated in.
Peace Valley Charter School’s test scores improved in May, after facing multiple threats of closure by state regulators last year.
Twice last year, the Public Charter School Commission, Peace Valley’s authorizer, considered revoking the school’s charter for failing to obtain accreditation, amid poor test scores and a lack of processes for monitoring and evaluating student progress.
But Peace Valley Principal Sita Chiang shared promising test scores during the commission’s monthly meeting Thursday.
Last month, 49% of kindergarten through third-grade students tested at grade level on the state’s reading assessment, while 22% tested well below grade level. That’s a significant improvement from dismal numbers last year, when 30% at tested grade level and 48% were well below grade level.
Chiang credited the state’s Increased Charter Support program for the progress. The program connects struggling schools with consultants and mentors and provides additional state funding. Peace Valley, a Waldorf school in Boise, is one of four charters that participated in the program in 2024-25.
The program offered the funding and support Peace Valley needed to make immediate improvements, Chiang said. That started with leadership training, including consulting and mentoring on issues like school finance, academic achievement and literacy. Then school leaders focused on expanding instructional capacity through teacher development and data-driven interventions for students struggling in math or reading.
“We realized that the only force that is powerful enough to truly change the student’s life is another human being,” Chiang said.
Peace Valley received $127,174 through the program, by far the most of the four participating schools. EdNews reported here on two other charters that used the program.
Mary Gervase, a longtime educator and consultant who led the charter support program this year, urged commission members to push for long-term state funding in its second year. Lawmakers last year approved $300,000 in one-time money.
“I’m grateful that it’s going to continue for a second year,” Gervase said, “But I also know that this second year we need to find some sustainable funding, so that this is how all charter schools who open in Idaho are supported.”
Search for new Charter Commission director gets underway
Also Thursday, commissioners launched their search for a new leader after the previous director resigned last month.
Commissioners discussed the job qualifications, salary and hiring timeline with interim director Jennifer White, before voting to give White the go-ahead to post the job.
White, who is also the State Board of Education’s executive director, recommended maintaining a $125,000 maximum salary for the Charter Commission director. That rate would also allow the commission to hire a new program manager.
“The amount of compensation has not been the issue related to the retention in these positions,” White said.
Previous director Korey Mereness resigned after just one month on the job. He was the fourth person to serve as director since 2023 — not counting interim directors.
White recommended posting the job within a week, and closing the application period in mid-July. That would give commissioners more than two weeks to interview candidates and make an offer by August.
Read about the previous resignations here and here.
Commission renews ‘fiscal concern’ for Bingham Academy
The commission renewed a “notice of fiscal concern” for Bingham Academy in Blackfoot.
White listed a series of concerning trends in Bingham Academy’s financial picture, including declining cashflow and reserves, and a worsening ability to service debt.
School leaders told the commission that they don’t have debt, just an “exorbitant” lease. The school pays $102,000 annually to rent space in a Blackfoot shopping plaza. Meanwhile, enrollment has steadily declined, to 58 students, because the school doesn’t have virtual offerings, they said.
For an Idaho charter school, average daily attendance — not just enrollment — needs to exceed 100 students to sustain financial solvency, White said.
But Bingham Academy hopes to add 65 students by this fall through a mix of strategies, including adding virtual classes. The school also hired a marketing firm, launched a new website and it’s buying advertising to attract enrollees.
“The worst-case scenario is we have to shut down,” Bingham Academy chief administrator Chad Harris said. “The best-case scenario is that we’re going to have the most successful enrollment year we’ve ever had.”
Commissioners were unconvinced. Without discussion, they unanimously voted to renew the notice of fiscal concern, which has been in place for several years.
The notice doesn’t come with a penalty, other than an alternate method for receiving state funds. The school will receive four equal payments next year, rather than getting a major payment up front, as most Idaho public schools do. White said it’s a “more cautious” way to distribute the money.
“We hope it all comes together,” chairman Alan Reed told the Bingham leaders.
Chief Tahgee given leeway to address reporting delays
Lastly Thursday, the commission took no action after Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy in Fort Hall failed to abide by renewal conditions.
In 2022, the commission added a condition to the school’s charter renewal agreement, designed to correct “chronically late reporting practices.” This year, the school failed to submit one required report to the commission. Two other reports, required by the Idaho Department of Education, were late.
Jessica Wilson, Chief Tahgee’s director of school programs, told the commission that staff turnover and lack of expertise in accounting practices have caused the reporting delays. And she presented a plan to ensure compliance by August.
The Commission voted 4-1 to take no action, except to require that Chief Tahgee return in October for an update.
“It’s gotta get done,” Reed said. “I think the commission is being very generous.”
