Augusta - The newly formed Maine State Charter School Commission is taking to the road to hear the public's ideas on what they want to see in a charter school.

The commission can authorize up to 10 public charter schools during the first decade of Maine's charter school law, which was authorized by the Legislature last year.

Local schools boards can also authorize additional charter schools.

The seven-member commission has scheduled public meetings in Portland on March 1, in Bangor on March 8 and in Augusta on March 15.

Details are available on the commission web page, http://www.maine.gov/education/charterschools/commission.html.

Charter schools receive public funds but are operated independently of the traditional public school system.

They have more flexibility than traditional public schools over decisions concerning curriculum and instruction, scheduling, staffing and finance.

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