Mass. Education Commissioner Favors 5 New Charter Schools

Massachusetts could be getting more charter schools and adding students to several others already operating around the state.

State Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester says he is recommending to the state education board that it grant five new charters to groups who want to open schools.

Two of proposed new schools are in Boston and one New Bedford. One of the others would serve the Springfield area. The fifth school would enroll students from Boston's North Shore area.

He said he also favors approving requests from 11 existing charter schools to increase enrollment. The school expansions are proposed in the Boston area, Lawrence, and several districts across western Massachusetts.

Chester said Friday the board will vote on the recommendations at its meeting Feb. 25 and 26.