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Charter school hearings scheduled

The Dept. of Education has scheduled hearings at three locations across the state to give local residents a chance to voice their opinions on the seven charter school applications under consideration.

The proposals are for the Community Charter School of Cambridge, Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School, Cotuit/Marstons Mills Horace Mann Charter School, Imani Charter School of Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, Marstons Mills East Elementary School, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence, according to a DOE media release.

None of the applications have been pre-approved but the applicants have been invited to submit final applications, which are currently under review, according to the DOE. The public comment period is part of the review process. The Board of Education will take comments from the public into consideration before taking their final vote on these applications in February.

The public hearings will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Monday, January 12, at the Plymouth Public Library, Otto Fehlow Room, 132 South Street, Plymouth
• Wednesday, January 14, at the Massachusetts Department of Education, 3rd floor, 350 Main Street, Malden
• Thursday, January 15, at Quinsigamond Community College, Herbert Auditorium, 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester

Public comment can also be submitted in writing to the Massachusetts Department of Education, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Comments must be submitted no later than Friday, January 16, 2004.

Information gathered through the hearings and written comments will be used by the Board of Education as members evaluate the proposals under consideration. Any charters not granted this year will be encouraged to reapply in future years.

The DOE notes that charter schools have been operating in Massachusetts since 1995. They are independent public schools started by teachers, parents, social service organizations and community leaders. A Commonwealth charter school is a public school independent of any school committee. A Horace Mann charter school is a school or part of a school that operates under a charter approved by the local school committee and the local teachers union.