Education Commissioner Recommends Against Somerville Charter School

Mitchell Chester, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is recommending against the proposed Somerville Progressive Charter School.

The education department issued a statement Thursday saying the commissioner was recommending charters for four schools across the state, but that "two groups, Springfield Preparatory Charter School and Somerville Progressive Charter School, have not been recommended for new charters by the Commissioner."

The statement says the department will provide feedback to the founders of those groups, and they are invited to submit new applications in the future.

The final decision on the matter is up to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which meets Feb. 28. However, without a recommendation from the commissioner, it seems unlikely the board will grant a charter.

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