MADISON, Wis. -- A tug of war over students and state aid could be shaping up in Dane County. News 3's Toni Morrissey has been looking into plans for a charter school that's making waves in the public school community.

A coalition of private businesses, families and educators have gone straight to the state legislature for approval instead of working through local districts.

Nuestro Mundo Charter School Madison has two Charter Education Matters schools including Nuestro Mundo. They are administered by the Madison School District.

Morrisey reported the group proposing the International Academy wants it to be a public school sponsored by the University of Wisconsin and administered by the board of regents. The regents are appointed by the governor, not elected by the public. The proposal would require legislative approval since it would be a public school. The International Academy would get per pupil state aide for each student leaving a traditional public school.

"That's one of the reasons we're Dane County, so it would not be an impact on an individual school district," said Melissa Wee, International Academy Spokeswoman. "And also we're looking for the funds that are already being set aside in the next budget for charter schools. And we want to be one of those charter schools."

"We agree with the concept of charter schools," said Joe Quick, legislative liaison for Madison School District. "We embrace it. But we've got grave reservations about setting up a charter school that there's no oversight and accountability from locally elected officials."

Wee said Research Park would be a logical home for the school. But she told News 3 a number of businesses have offered to build the school on their property.

The kindergarten thru grade 12 school curriculum would focus on preparing students for higher education and competing in a global market. There would be a lottery for students who want to enroll. The school would take 700 students in kindergarten thru eighth grade the first year, and 1,400 students in kindergarten thru 12th grade after that.