Chester also rejected the proposal by the Springfield Preparatory Charter School, which would have partnered with Springfield Technical Community College.
Four schools were recommended by Chester: the Collegiate Charter School in Lowell, focused on college preparation; the Bay State Academy Charter School in Springfield, which prepares students for technology and medical careers; the Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School in Holyoke, which focuses on advocacy and responsible citizenship; and the only Horace Mann school, the Dudley Street Neighborhood School in Boston, which promotes student and teacher improvement.
Those recommendations will go before the board of elementary and secondary education Feb. 28 for final approval, Considine said.
The rejection of the Somerville charter school ends, at least temporarily, a heated debate over the charter school, which could have an enrollment of 425 in grades K-8 with an emphasis on English as a second language.
Teachers, administrators, and elected officials quickly lined up against the proposal, saying it would duplicate existing programs and fail to meet key requirements. Proponents said that immigrants deserve a choice.
“We appreciate that Commissioner Chester has chosen to recommend against the Somerville Progressive Charter School application,’’ said Paul Bockelman, chairman of the Somerville School Committee.
“The [charter’s] application has significant and well-documented weaknesses and lacks any substantial support from the community,’’ Bockelman said.
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, who was among several elected officials who opposed the plan, called it a wise decision.
“The proposed new charter school isn’t a good fit for Somerville and its student population,’’ Curtatone said. “But it’s clear that the energy generated on both sides in the application process can now be put to good use in improving our schools in ways that benefit all of our students.’’
Somerville Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi also praised the decision.
“This has been an arduous process for all parties involved,’’ he said.
Selena Fitanides, one of the founding members of the Somerville Progressive Charter School, could not be reached for comment.
