But the majority of the first wave of Minnesota charters went to schools that, like City Academy, want to educate children and teens who have not been well-served by traditional programs. Approximately half of the original charter proposals were targeted toward these youngsters. Charter Issues, Charter Interest Some of the characteristics of the Charter School idea are now being extended to other schools. In spring 1993, the Minnesota state board of education and the state legislature decided to free an entire school district that applies for waivers from all but the most basic state regulations. The state board can revoke the waivers at any time.
Districts can take actions such as altering class sizes, the school day, and teacher work rules.
The state board actually has been waiving rules for several years, but more schools and districts are beginning to ask for waivers. One district experimenting with this new freedom is North Branch, approximately 40 miles north of Minneapolis-St. After petitioning for waivers in response to the Charter School legislation, the district was granted three-year waivers to prompt innovation. The school district argued that it could compete with any Charter School, but needed a level playing field. Other districts are watching the results closely.