By David Farmer,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – The state House of Representatives rejected a bill Thursday that would have allowed for a limited number of public charter schools.

Advocates for the pilot program had hoped they would have enough support in the House to keep the issue alive long enough for them to sway a single senator, which would have been enough to change the outcome. The proposal, which would have allowed for 20 charter schools during the next 10 years, failed in the Senate on March 27.

Supporters of charter schools thought they had corralled a thin majority in the House Wednesday night, said Judith Jones, chairman of the Maine Association for Charter Schools. After a meeting among Democrats, the support faded.

On Thursday, the House voted against charter schools, 79-63, with nine members not voting or absent, ending the bill’s chances for this year.

“This is the first time in the eight years that people have been trying to get this through that it’s come up on so many people’s radar screens,” Jones said.

The bill, L.D. 1640, would have allowed a 10-year test period for up to 20 public charter schools to serve at-risk students, particularly those with high rates of absenteeism, who are more than a year behind in their studies or who have been identified as having special needs.

“The weak point in our campaign was that we didn’t reach enough (school) superintendents,” Jones said. “Superintendents in 40 others states realize that they are able to reach more students with charter schools. … But the fear of losing funds really colored that.”

The issue, however, is not settled. Jones said her group will be back and the near success this year gives them a huge leg up next year.

“First, the needs are there for charter schools,” Jones said. “Second, parents need options they can afford, and third, it’s a good idea.”