Cornville, Skowhegan -
A lottery for classroom seats in one of the state's first charter schools had a lot of parents in Skowhegan more nervous than if money were up for grabs.
Officials with the Cornville Regional Charter school decided to conduct the lottery Wednesday night after as many as 90 students applied for the school's 60 open spots.
The state's charter school commission recently approved it as the first elementary education charter school in Maine.
State law mandates that if one student is chosen in the lottery, their sibling is also allowed to enroll.
For mom Heidi Mullen, it was a lucky night for all three of her kids when one of them was drawn.
For others, like Kevin Mack, not so much.
"Nope. She's 4th on the waiting list so she didn't get in. She's got a good teacher this year so we'll see about next year."
Justin Belanger, the executive director of the school, told parents like Mack, "Don't lose hope because we should have room for you next year, or at least the year after."
Cornville opens up October 1st, along with the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences.
Another charter school in Portland will open next year.
The Maine Charter School commission has already requested more charter school proposals and hopes to open additional classrooms next fall.