By Lindsay Tice,Staff Writer

Maine will get up to 20 independent but state-funded charter schools if a new proposal passes the Legislature.

The bill would create a charter school pilot program over the next 10 years. Advocates say the charters will be innovative schools that will raise test scores and student achievement.

“It was obvious to me that not every student excelled in the particular school where they happened to be living. They needed options,” said Sen. Carol Weston, R-Montville, who sponsored the bill.

But some education officials worry that charters will siphon money away from public schools and cause competition.

The Education Committee will hold a public hearing on the issue Tuesday.

Charter schools are specially created public schools that receive state and federal money but are freed from many state regulations. The schools are run by private or public groups and are open to all students, regardless of where they live.

Many charter schools have a theme, such as music, around which they create a curriculum. Others are dedicated to specific groups of kids, such as high school dropouts or autistic middle-schoolers. Others mirror traditional schools but keep class sizes extremely low, stay open during the summer or offer other unusual benefits.

“It gives options to all parents so they can ask the question What does my child need?'” said Judith Jones, chairwoman of the Maine Association for Charter Schools.

Recommendations

Supporters have tried for years to get charter schools in Maine. Past bills came close, but ultimately failed.

In 2004, a State Board of Education task force recommended a limited pilot program, with charters overseen by local public school boards and with enrollment capped so traditional schools wouldn’t be hurt by a sudden loss of students.

Weston said she drew from those recommendations. But some education officials say her 14-page proposal still goes too far.

Weston’s bill allows up to 20 charter schools over 10 years. The schools would be non-religious, free to parents and open to all students. Like public schools, charters would have to meet Maine’s Learning Results standards. Only half of teachers would have to be certified.

Charters would be funded by the state and federal government, with each student’s state funding following them from school to school.

“This is not going to cost us any more money. We’re just saying not every student learns with the same method, at the same speed or in the same atmosphere,” Weston said.

Some education officials argue that charters will cost public schools money. When children leave, their state aid goes with them.

Dale Douglass, spokesman for the Maine Superintendents Association and Maine School Boards Association, said both of his groups have been opposed to charters in the past. While he had not seen the details of Weston’s bill Thursday, he said superintendents historically don’t want to lose money when students leave for charters. And school boards, he said, have questioned whether charters are appropriate when public schools have been forced to close or consolidate.

“Frankly, there’s a need question,” he said. “What is the need for this?”

The Department of Education also isn’t enthusiastic. Officials say they are neither for nor against the bill, but they call some aspects of it “worrisome.”

They don’t like the fact that Weston’s bill allows public universities and colleges, not just local school boards, to oversee charter schools. They are concerned that charters will compete with, rather than complement, public schools.

“That was not what the task force envisioned (in its recommendations),” said Deputy Education Commissioner Patrick Phillips, who served on the task force in 2004.

The Education Committee will hear both sides Tuesday. The public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. in Augusta.

According to national advocates, 41 states now allow charters, including New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Go and do

What: Legislative public hearing

When: 1 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Cross Office Building, Augusta