DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you find a good definition of what charter schools are? Thanks. You are the best! — No Name via email

ANSWER: There are numerous websites with varying takes on charter schools, but for a hopefully less biased definition, Sun Spots turned to Wikipedia, which says:

“A charter school is an alternative education system where a school receives public funding and operates privately.”

Gov. Paul LePage has spoken in favor of charter schools, but what appears at Maine.gov is pretty straightforward:

“Charter schools are public schools of choice students can decide to attend as an alternative to traditional public schools.

“Gov. Paul LePage signed L.D. 1553 into law on June 29, 2011, making Maine the 41st state to allow public charter schools.

“The law took effect Sept. 28, 2011, as Public Law 2011, Chapter 414. Maine’s first charter schools will open, at the earliest, July 1, 2012.”

There are a couple of associations for charter schools in Maine, including the Maine Association for Charter School (www.mainecharterschools.org) and Great Schools for ME (www.greatschoolsforme.org), which offers the following list on its website:

1. Charter schools are public schools and tuition free.

2. Maine’s State Charter School Commission may authorize 10 charter schools within a 10-year period.

3. Local school boards may authorize an unlimited number of charter schools within a 10-year period.

4. Charter schools have completely open enrollment (subject to blind lottery should the number of letters of intent exceed the number of spaces available).

5. Charter schools are governed by an independent school board.

6. Charter schools cannot levy taxes or issue bonds.

7. Funds for charter school students follow each of them from their residing districts.

8. Parents determine whether or not to enroll their children in a charter school.

No. 7 seems to elicit the most controversy, as public schools fear having their coffers depleted if too many students depart for a charter school.

At greatschoolsformew.org, it says that at this point in time five charter schools have been approved, and two began operating in the 2012-13 school year. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to tell you that there are still very good, helpful people around us.

On July 29 I was on my way to Home Depot when I put my left turn signal on, but somehow my emergency flashers went on, and for the life of me I could not find a way to turn them off.

In the parking lot a gentleman was headed to his car with his wife and son, and I asked him if he had any idea of what to do. He gladly came over, checked everything on the dashboard, saw nothing, then asked for the car’s manual. He still could not find anything, but said he was getting very intrigued.

I thanked him, but failed to his name so that after going to Emerson and getting my problem solved I could tell him what we had to do. If he happens to read this, I would like for him to call me at 784-8388 and leave his number so I can share the story with him.

I also want to think him and his family for being so kind to a stranger. Thank you also for your great work. — Rose, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots wishes you had explained the problem in your letter. You have just made her and her readers all very curious! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Museum L-A is seeking volunteers for the second annual Lewiston-Auburn Mini Maker Faire taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Museum L-A and the Bates Mill Atrium.

The Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, do-it-yourself science and technology, robots, crafts, music, and more. People show what they are making and share what they are learning.

Volunteers are needed in many different areas, from registration, selling items, setting up, to helping out various makers. Anyone wishing to volunteer for a day or part of a day, please email dwilliams@museumla.org or call 333-3881. — Susan Beane, sbeane@museumla.org

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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