Providence charter school plan approved

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A divided Rhode Island Board of Regents has given preliminary approval to a controversial plan to open two charter schools in Providence.

The board voted 5-4 Thursday night in favor of the proposal by charter school operator Achievement First, which wants to run two elementary charter schools that would serve children from Providence, Warwick, North Providence and Cranston.

The Providence Journal reports that Achievement First now must find a building, hire teachers and meet state charter school requirements. The first school would open in the fall of 2013 with 176 students, and the second school would open in 2014.

School officials in Providence and surrounding towns say the charter schools would result in millions of dollars in lost state aid to the city and towns.