Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

McKee received approval by legislators for the mayoral academy concept in June 2008. He now hopes his proposal passes muster with the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, which will review the matter later this spring. If the Regents approve the school, McKee hopes to secure $700,000 in state financing. Governor Carcieri has included $1.5 million for new charters in his spending plan, but the General Assembly can add or remove money as they develop their budget.

Mayoral academies differ from the state's existing charter schools. All are public schools, financed by taxpayers, but charters are free from many of the rules and restrictions of regular public schools. Teachers often work longer hours, class size is generally smaller, and several charters require uniforms and a high level of parental involvement.

Mayoral academies have been granted even more freedom. They are not required to pay teachers a prevailing wage, pay into teacher retirement plans, or offer tenure protection.

McKee wants a board, headed by him, to oversee the schools.

Teacher unions have criticized the proposed academies saying they, like charters, divert money away from cash-strapped school districts. In addition, union leaders say they are worried the mayoral academies will not pay their teachers a fair wage and will treat teachers like private, rather than public, employees.

A second public hearing on mayoral academies has been scheduled at the same location, 7 p.m. April 20.