Meet The Charter School Operators

Last November, Washington became the 42nd state to legalize charter schools. The voter-approved initiative allows for no more than 40 public charter schools to open over a five-year period. The first schools could open as early as next fall.

Next week, the state Charter School Commission will begin sifting through applications from would-be charter school operators. Who are these potential operators? And how might charter schools be different from traditional public schools?

Brenda McDonald is planning principal for the Spokane School District. She’s applying to open Pride Prep in Spokane, which would serve grades 6 through 12.

Kristina Bellamy-McClain is the former principal of Emerson Elementary in Seattle. She’s applying to open a K-8 school in South King County or Tacoma.

They talked with Ross Reynolds.

Produced by Andy Hurst.