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Maine could have another charter school battle on its hands.

Less than a year after the state Senate rejected the latest attempt to legalize the independently run schools in Maine, Rep. Alan Casavant has reopened the debate.

As the Legislature's Education Committee today debated three bills meant to strengthen Maine's position in the federal Race to the Top competition, Casavant decided a bill meant to allow so-called "innovative" schools in the Pine Tree State wasn't enough.

Instead of passing the compromise measure meant to appease the Maine Education Association, which has consistently opposed allowing charter schools in Maine, Casavant offered up the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools model charter school law as an amendment to the innovative schools bill.

"There's so many kids that fall through the cracks," Casavant, D-Biddeford, said. "We lose them. What's the harm in giving them another alternative?"

Maine is one of 11 states that don't allow charter schools. But it's not for a lack of trying on the part of charter school advocates.

With Casavant's move, those advocates will likely be forced back into action. Charter school opponents — namely the Maine Education Association, the Maine School Management Association and the Maine Principals' Association — will mobilize as well.

It'll be the same Education Committee and same Legislature once again considering the charter schools proposal, so charter schools' only chance for success will come if there have been any changes of heart.

Stay tuned.

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