Massachusetts governor wants state to reconsider approval of Gloucester charter school

From The Boston Globe: Controversy over a new charter school in Gloucester, Mass., is emerging as a flashpoint in a statewide debate over a proposed expansion of charter schools. Governor Deval Patrick has sent a letter to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education asking its board to reconsider its approval of the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School. Gloucester officials and residents deluged the governor with complaints over the approval process. But Mitchell Chester, the state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education, says reconsidering the approval would be illegal under state law.

JULY 2009...from The Boston Globe: For years, the Boston Teachers Union had successfully prevailed upon Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino to resist charter schools, but last month the mayor reversed himself and announced his support of charter schools. The change reflects Menino's his growing frustration with the union, which over the last few months had scuttled or stalled one key initiative after another, from education overhaul efforts to cost-saving measures.