Maine panel rejects digital charters, governor blasts panel

As I reported in today's Portland Press Herald, Maine's charter school commission yesterday rejected two proposed full-time digital schools that were to be operated by the nation's largest online school companies, K12 Inc and Connections Learning.

The companies were the subject of a Maine Sunday Telegram investigation published Sept. 2 that revealed how they were influencing the creation of Maine's nascent digital school policies.

The commissioners also rejected two of three "brick and mortar" charter school applications.

Earlier today, Gov. Paul LePage reacted angrily, suggesting the charter commission was broken and the commissioners should resign. Education Commissioner Steve Bowen attended the joint, impromptu press conference. My colleague Steve Mistler has the story.