The fight to save District of Choice continues with newly elected State Sen.  Josh Newman, who proposed his first bill on Dec. 5. The new bill would extend the right originally granted by the District of Choice bill championed by his predecessor, Sen. Bob Huff.

Currently, the existing law permits families to request transfers for students to a school district of their choice outside of their home district. This right is set to become inoperative on July 1, 2017 and then be repealed on Jan. 1, 2018.

Newman’s Senate Bill No. 52, if passed, “would extend those inoperative and repeal dates to July 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, respectively,” as stated in the bill.

According to parent Teruni Evans, who met with the senator on Dec. 15, Newman plans to make SB52 an urgency bill to expedite its approval.

“Personally, I felt very good after our meeting,” Evans said via email. “[Newman] said he will stay involved until approved.”