Lawmakers would let NC towns create separate charter school

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina legislators want to allow two suburban Charlotte towns to create their own charter schools for residents separate from one of the country’s largest public school districts.

The House on Thursday voted to authorize the towns of Matthews and Mint Hill to open charter schools that give students living in those towns priority enrollment. Current law allows any student admission to charters, but lotteries are held when demand exceeds space.

Taxpayer-supported charter schools have greater leeway over staffing and curriculum than traditional public schools.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Mint Hill and Matthews are about 80 percent white and have incomes about one-third higher than the North Carolina average. Both towns are part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, which is about 30 percent white.