Gloucester School Opens Despite Ed Chief's Warning

A Gloucester charter school has opened despite a warning from the state's top education official not to.

The Gloucester Community Arts Charter School opened its doors Thursday even after state Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester sent a letter to the chairwoman of the school's trustees saying he does not believe the school is viable.

He said he may call an emergency meeting of the state Board of Education to recommend revoking the school's charter. A department spokesman said that had not been done as of Thursday morning.

Chester originally approved the school's charter in 2009. More recently he has expressed concern about the school's financing, enrollment and allegations that the school may have broken state bidding laws during construction.