BIPARTISAN SENATE VOTE GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO STATE-RUN VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL

Measure calls for moratorium on all other virtual charter schools

AUGUSTA—In a bipartisan vote of 24-11, the Senate enacted a measure to create a state-run charter school and a moratorium on other virtual charter schools in Maine.

“We need to make every effort to ensure Maine’s children, no matter where they live and no matter their economic circumstances, have equal opportunity to grow, explore and develop, skills necessary for success as adults, which is what this bill will do,” said Democratic Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “Supporting this effort will help more than 180,000 Maine students access courses they would not otherwise be able to take.”

The measure creates a stakeholder group to develop a state-run virtual charter school and creates a moratorium on all other virtual charter schools until July 31, 2014. On that date, the stakeholder group must show they have made a good faith effort and if they have, the moratorium on other virtual charter schools will continue to January 15, 2015. If they have not, the moratorium will end.

“Schools are for learning, they are not profit centers. Education isn’t about the bottom line, it’s about preparing our children for the future,” said Democratic Senator Jim Boyle of Gorham. “Education is the great equalizer of opportunity, and this measure will ensure more students have an opportunity to learn from a curriculum or a class not offered in their schools.”

The measure, LD 1736, “Resolve, To Create a State-run Virtual Academy Providing Maine Students with Access to Online Learning through Their Existing School Districts,” will now be sent to Governor LePage.