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Region lacks representation -- so far -- on new seven-member state charter school board

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By Dan Carden dan.carden@nwi.com, (317) 637-9078 | Posted: Thursday, August 4, 2011 12:00 pm | (4) Comments

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INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana may be shut out of a new state board that has the power to establish charter schools, despite the popularity of charter schools in the region.

None of the four already named members of the Indiana Charter School Board hail from Northwest Indiana; two are from Fort Wayne, one is from Evansville and the other from Ellettsville, near Bloomington.

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has yet to name his two selections for the seven-member board, and House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, is expected to reveal his pick later this month.

The other appointments were each made by Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne; Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville; House Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend; and Republican State Superintendent Tony Bennett.

Charter schools have been especially popular in Gary, with about 25 percent of city schoolchildren attending a charter school.

The Indiana Charter School Board was created earlier this year in legislation intended to speed the establishment of charter schools by adding another entity to authorize new charter schools, which are taxpayer-funded but exempt from most state education mandates.

Previously only Ball State University and the mayor of Indianapolis could authorize charter schools.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/ga...l#ixzz1UA5DPxN6