RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Legislation allowing four communities close to North Carolina’s largest city to apply for and operate their own charter schools has cleared a General Assembly hurdle.
A closely divided Senate Education Committee voted Wednesday to recommend the measure, which would apply only to the Charlotte-area towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville and Cornelius.
Municipalities currently can’t operate charter schools, but bill sponsor Rep. Bill Brawley of Matthews says these communities are unhappy with overcrowding in traditional public schools and student assignment plans by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system.
Senators opposing the option say it would accelerate school re-segregation and could set a precedent other communities will seek. The measure must clear two more Senate committees before a floor vote. A House version passed last year contained just Matthew and Mint Hill.
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