Charter schools as economic development

Greenville, in Maine's Moosehead region, is in the running to open the state's first charter school.

Officials in the town say opening the specialized school, likely an outdoor leadership academy that capitalizes on Greenville's proximity to the Maine wilderness, holds economic development potential for the small community.

Problem is, there's no state law that will allow Greenville to proceed with its charter school plans.

The Bangor Daily News reported Friday on Greenville officials' hopes of opening a quasi-public school that specializes in environmental education. The school concept fits perfectly within the definition of a charter school, the officials say. But the Maine Legislature this spring rejected the latest attempt to allow the independently run schools in the state.

Legislators leery of the attempt to introduce charter schools in Maine said the schools would divert badly needed funding away from traditional public schools. But Greenville officials say a charter school in their community would be a draw that could strengthen the local economy.

"The charter school would allow us to be a little bit more flexible and it would almost operate like an independent school where we could have tuition students from throughout the state and New England," Greenville schools Superintendent Heather Perry told the BDN.

"We see it as a way to allow us to continue to exist well into the future."