PRIORITY NOTICE: Notice from Maine Charter School Commission- Public Input for Proposed New Public Charter School

Maine Charter School Commission Banner

The Maine Charter School Commission has received applications from two entities proposing a new public charter school opening in the fall of 2020. There are 9 public charter schools operating in the state of Maine. Current law allows for a maximum of 10.

Applications were received for:

Ecology Learning Center, located in Montville. will serve grades 9-12 with a target population of high school-aged youth seeking experiential, community-based learning. The catchment area of the school will be Waldo County.
Sheffwood Academy, located in Topsham, will serve grades 6-12 with a target population of students with a passion for the arts and/or technology. The catchment area of the school will be a 20-mile radius around Topsham.

At its August 6, 2019 Business Meeting, the Maine Charter School Commission determined whether the application(s) appear to demonstrate the applicant’s competence in each element of the Commission’s published approval criteria and appears to demonstrate that the applicant is likely to open and operate a successful public charter school in the state of Maine. The Maine Charter School Commission denied the application for Sheffwood Academy, with no further action recommended. The Maine Charter School Commission has moved the Ecology Learning Center application forward, and a public hearing will be held on August 7th for the Ecology Learning Center from 4:00pm-6:00pm in the Washington/York Room of the Augusta Civic Center. The purpose of the hearing is to elicit public comment on the expected impact of the proposed charter school on students, parents, the community to be served by the school, and public education in the State. It’s important to note that if a school is approved for a charter, all students in the state of Maine are welcome to enroll.

If you are unable to attend a public hearing in person, written comments will be accepted through 5:00pm on Friday, August 23rd. Written comments can be mailed to the Maine Charter School Commission at 182 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 or emailed to mcsc@maine.gov.

Information will be provided on the Commission’s website http://www.maine.gov/csc.

Public Charter School applications open through June 14

The Maine Charter School issued the following Request for Proposal last week.

The Maine Charter School Commission, “the Commission,” is currently soliciting the development of public charter school applications throughout the State of Maine. The Commission is seeking detailed applications, fully addressing the key issues, from capable school developers who are committed to educating their students well in a successful, sustainable, high quality charter school. With a May 31, 2016, RFP issue date, the approved school is to open September 2017.

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Maine Charter School Commission seeking candidates for a new member

The Maine Charter School Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Maine State Board of Education. The Commission has begun a search to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term May 2016 – June 2018. Upon successful completion of the term, the member will be eligible to seek his/her own three year term.

The Maine State Charter School Commission’s mission is to provide thoughtful stewardship in authorizing and monitoring public charter schools consistent with State statutes to create unique, high-quality learning options for Maine students.

The Commission seeks candidates, who share in this mission. The Commission is particularly looking for a new member who has the following qualities:

The willingness and availability to be a hands-on, working Commission member;
A commitment to attend Commission meetings in Augusta (i.e.: 1-day per month for the Commission’s regular business meeting; Monitoring Process, RFP Development, RFP-Application Reviews, Public Interviews and Public Hearings, Site Visits, and Working with the Legislature);
Availability to work with staff in Augusta with the development of related documents;
Experience in a non-Charter Public School;
Experience in diverse professional settings.

Persons interested in serving on the Commission should mail or hand deliver a letter of interest and a current resume to:

Maine Charter School Commission

182 State House Station

Augusta ME 04333-0182

Located at 111 Sewall Street 5th floor, Augusta.

In the letter, applicants should describe how their experience and strengths will match the need for the open position on the Maine Charter School Commission. The position will be filled once a suitable candidate is identified.

For questions, contact Executive Director of the Maine State Charter Commission Bob Kautz at 592-8352 or bob.kautz@maine.gov.

National School Choice Week brings charter school students to Augusta

Maine Charter Schools Day was recognized last month in the State House Hall of Flags. The day was full of various activities, among them students speaking before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

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