JACKSON -- Much of the focus during the just-completed legislative session was on whether school boards of C-rated district would have veto authority over charter schools locating within their boundaries.
But probably just as important an issue -- especially for charter school supporters -- was whether students would be able to cross district lines to attend charter schools. Without that authority, it will be difficult for charter schools to locate in smaller districts, some say.
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a strong charter school advocate, wanted the legislation to have the provision allowing students to cross district lines.
In the final days, when House and Senate leaders negotiated those issues and others related to charter schools, the House leaders offered two proposals.
One would not allow any crossing of district lines. The other would allow students in D and F schools in D and F districts to cross lines to attend a charter school.
In the end, the Senate leaders took the proposal that allowed no transfers across district lines even though that is not what they supported. But the House and Senate leaders began counting votes and realized that by including the crossing district lines provision they could lose one, two or maybe three votes in the House and that could be the difference in passing charter school legislation.
That compromise passed the House by a 62-55 margin. Had they lost a couple of votes, the margin would have been getting in the danger margin where anything could happen.