Dozens Of Minn. Charter Schools Face Closure

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Dozens of Minnesota charter schools could be forced to close under a 2009 law designed to tighten supervision of their innovative programs.

The law requires every charter school be paired with a school district, college or nonprofit that monitors its finances and performance. The "authorizers" have until June 30 to demonstrate they're up to the job.

But some authorizers are unwilling or unable and plan to cut ties with their schools.

Sixty-four charter schools, with around 13,000 students, have yet to secure an authorizer for the coming school year.

Minnesota now has about 45 authorizers overseeing 149 charter schools. So far, the state has approved 15 applications, but it has rejected 10 others. The next deadline for applications is in mid-February.

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