Additionally, charter leaders will be asking lawmakers for ongoing startup funds for new charter schools coming down the line. The past few years new charters have received three-year startup grants from a federal grant to the tune of $150,000 per year. That money goes to buildings, desks, chairs and getting the school up and running.

But for larger charters that money doesn't always do the job.

To help those schools, last year the state kicked in $2.8 million in startup money. However, with no guarantee the federal funding will continue and with more schools being approved, leaders hope to make state funding ongoing.

Finally, under a reimbursement initiative, leaders hope to enable charter schools that are leasing or renting a facility to get back money they indirectly pay in property taxes.

Public schools are exempt from paying property taxes but some charters end up paying them indirectly through monthly lease payments. The initiative would allow schools to get state reimbursements for that extra money paid.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com