Republican lawmakers plan to propose legislation to preserve school choice as school districts are encouraged to merge under a new state law.
The House Republican caucus will introduce legislation in the upcoming session.
Representative Don Turner told the Times Argus the move is in response to the State Board of Education's interpretation last month that, based on existing law, combined districts may either operate a school or pay the tuition for students to go to schools outside the district. But they can't do both.
But some education experts say offering school choice in a district that operates a school will drive up the cost of operating the school.
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