Philadelphia School District Collecting Applications To Open New Charter Schools
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia School District is collecting applications to open nearly two dozen new charter schools.
Twenty-two operators have submitted letters of intent, including existing operators KIPP and String Theory -- and a first-time application from Quincy Greene to establish a high school emphasizing inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens.
"Our main focus is to create a bully-free environment for youth to learn and to grow and to excel," said Greene.
Greene admits his application charter likely won't be approved, but it does begin a conversation. Megan Reamer, a program manager in the district's charter school office, says evaluations will begin after the application deadline of November 15.
"The first thing that happens is in early December. We will have public hearings," said Reamer.
The School Reform Commission is expected to vote on the applications in February. The SRC authorized six of 39 new charter applications last year. Philadelphia has 83 charters now.
For years, the financially-strapped district approved no new charters. The district was required by the 2014 cigarette tax law to accept new charter applications.
