Charter School Drops Plans To Expand

After months of deliberations, the Marblehead Community Charter Public School has abandoned plans to expand its programs to include younger grades. MCCPS currently serves students in grades four through eight. 

MCCPS Board Chairman Emil Ronchi called the decision "a difficult one" this afternoon.

Writing to the MCCPS community, Ronchi said, "Ultimately, the financial risk and other uncertainties, combined with a satisfactory but relatively tepid response from the community, served to dissuade a majority of the Board from moving forward with this initiative."

MCCPS had recently sent out a public survey to gauge interest in an expanded program.

The charter school faced an uphill battle. Just last night, the Marblehead School Committee approved sending a letter to MCCPS opposing any expansion. The board cited financial and educational concerns for its opposition.