Maine Lawmakers Consider Charter School Bills

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine could increase or limit the number of charter schools in the state under new bills.
 
Lawmakers are set to hold hearings on at least three bills addressing charter schools on Monday.
 
Currently, the Maine Charter School Commission can only approve 10 public charter schools. That cap expires in July 2022.
 
While Republican Sen. Matt Pouliot's bill would remove that cap, Democratic Rep. Michael Brennan's bill would make the limit permanent.
 
Another of Brennan's bills would limit enrollment at virtual public charter schools to how many students were enrolled at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. That bill would also prevent such virtual schools from expanding to serve grade levels that weren't included in its initial or previously approved charter contract.