ID H0628

Establishes a rural education support center in Idaho to help school districts and public charter schools achieve greater flexibility and pursue cost-sharing and personnel-sharing opportunities.

Requires the state department of education to conduct a statewide awareness campaign, establish a cabinet of superintendents and stakeholders, create a sample memorandum of understanding, and facilitate planning for one incubator region to serve in fiscal year 2017.

Grants the center director authority to contract one part-time business manager and one administrative assistant, pay regional travel expenses and utilities, and establish up to two menu items of services for participating school districts.

Requires participating school districts to provide written board support, execute a one-year memorandum of understanding with opt-out provisions allowing 60 days' notice before expiration, and request specific services in writing from their board of trustees.

Defines the rural education support center as an opt-in cooperative entity serving public school districts, public charter schools, and Idaho's school for the deaf and blind, with its establishment contingent upon appropriated funds.