2 of 4 Maine charter school applicants advance to next stage

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Two of the four groups that hope to open new charter schools in Maine have advanced to the next stage of the review process.

The Portland Press Herald reports (https://bit.ly/1LNUriV ) the Maine Charter School Commission voted Tuesday to move forward with Acadia Academy in Lewiston-Auburn and Snow Pond Arts Academy in Sidney. It won’t continue talks with Inspire ME Academy and Peridot Montessori Education.

The second phase of the process includes interviews, a public hearing and an in-depth discussion of school plans.

Schools approved by the commission would open in fall 2016.

State law allows a maximum of 10 charter schools. Maine already has five brick-and-mortar charter schools and two virtual charter schools. More than 1,500 students attend charter schools in Maine, which has about 184,000 total students.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com