Public Hearings On Charter School Proposals Begin Today

The Washington State Charter School Commission will host nine public forums around the state this month regarding the 19 charter school proposals it is considering. The first one is Monday afternoon in Spokane.

Each forum will focus on up to three proposals, and begin with a presentation from the charter applicants.

Spokane Public Schools will also allow public testimony on the three charter school applications it received at its regular Jan. 15 school board meeting.

A complete list of the Charter School Commission hearing times, dates and locations is available on the commission's Web site.

The state’s charter authorizers are also accepting written comments on the school proposals.

Spokane Public Schools is scheduled to decide Jan. 22 on its charter proposals. The Charter School Commission is slated to announce which charters it is granting, if any, by Feb. 24.

Although only eight charter schools can be approved to open this fall, the authorizers can also approve schools to open in future years.