Conflict Continues Over New Gloucester Charter School

The Massachusetts education commissioner insists a judge who is reviewing the approval of a new charter school in Gloucester does not have all the facts.

Superior Court Judge Richard Welch says it appears Commissioner Mitchell Chester gave in to political pressure when he overruled a recommendation to reject Gloucester Community Arts School.

While Chester has refused to block the opening of the school, Welch says there is evidence state officials violated state law.

But Chester says that's just not so.

"If we have an opportunity to look at the merit of that assertion, I would look forward to that, because I looked at the granting of the charter strictly from the merits of the application, not based on any political calculus," Chester said.

The school is slated to open next month, but parents opposed to the school say they will not drop their lawsuit challenging its charter.

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