Kentucky governor signs charter schools bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has signed a law to allow charter schools in Kentucky.

Records show Bevin signed House bill 520 on Tuesday. The law allows local school boards and the mayors of Louisville and Lexington to authorize charter schools in their districts. They would be governed by an independent board and exempt from most state regulations. Applicants denied at the local level could appeal to the state Board of Education, which is appointed by the governor.

Kentucky is now the 44th state to allow charter schools. Supporters say it will give parents and students more options. But opponents worry it will drain money from traditional public schools.

Records show Bevin has not yet signed a separate bill that would pay for charter schools using state and federal tax dollars.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement on the new law, saying, “I commend the Kentucky General Assembly and Governor Matt Bevin for their work to make charter schools happen in the Commonwealth. This is great news for Kentucky’s students and parents. The flexibility offered by public charter schools encourages teachers and administrators to use good judgment in innovative ways to produce positive results for Kentucky children.”

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.