BOISE - A House committee has taken a step toward putting Idaho's collection of charter schools in a better financial position to pay their monthly building and maintenance bills.

Legislation approved by the House Education Committee on Tuesday would give legislative budget writers authority to appropriate an estimated $1.4 million in relief for the 40 nontraditional schools operating across the state. That amount, which comes off the top of the general fund allocation to state public schools, could increase to $2.1 million in the second year and even more in subsequent years, according to the bill.

Jason Hancock, the Department of Education Deputy Chief of Staff, said the legislation is designed to help level the financial playing field for charter schools. Under Idaho statute, charter schools get a share of tax dollars to help with general operating budgets. But unlike traditional schools, charters don't have the authority to ask local voters to approve bond levies to offset other expenses - an option frequently used by public schools.

Hancock also said it's not unprecedented for the state to help pay school facilities costs, estimating that the state sends about $17 million annually to public schools to cover those expenses.

"I really don't see this as breaking new ground," Hancock told the committee.

The funding amount is based on a formula that factors in the total number of school levies and the number of public school students in the state.

Many of the charter school teachers and administrators who turned out to support the bill said the extra dollars would defray costs they now cover from general operating budgets.

Don Keller, principal at Boise-based Sage International School, said extra money could also help the school secure a lower interest rate on a bond they anticipate using to build and improve facilities.

But not everyone is ready to give the idea high marks.

Robin Nettinga, executive director of the Idaho Education Association, said founders of charter schools understand from the outset the limitations and trade-offs charter schools face compared to public schools. She also pointed out schools of all kinds are forced to make tough decisions with smaller budgets.

"Every school district and every school has faced challenges trying to stretch precious dollars over the last few years," she said. "We understand those challenges, but we don't believe this legislation is the answer."

Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, acknowledged the budgetary challenges facing public schools but said those schools still have the advantage of appealing to local voters for additional resources.

"We have seen an economic change in funding formulas for all schools, but charter schools have no alternatives in how to fill in the gaps," he said.

The bill will now go to the full House for debate.