Bangor Council Blocks Charter Schools, Opposes State Law Allowing Them

No choice for you!

Charter schools won't be built in Bangor any time soon. On Monday, the city council approved a moratorium on issuing the documents that incoming charter schools need to begin construction. City officials will use that time to change existing law to eliminate the harm that, they say, charter schools could have on the community.

According to council documents, the average charter school takes away $9,000 per student, in state and local funding, away from the Bangor School Department. Maine law does allow the schools, but councilors don't think funding has been adequately addressed.

The council also adopted a resolve, establishing a position in opposition to charter schools under Maine law. They're calling on state legislators to review issues of financing, local government control, and curriculum oversight.