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Monday, November 29, 2010

Time may be right for charter schools - NorthJersey.com

Time may be right for charter schools - NorthJersey.com
Time may be right for charter schools
Monday, November 29, 2010
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER

A controversial plan to open a Hebrew-immersion charter school in Bergen Countymight have its best chance at state approval this year as the Christie Aadministration looks to expand school choice throughout the state.

Laurie Kisner addressing her students and their parents at Hatikvah Charter School in East Brunswick. A similar Hebrew-immersion academy, rejected three times, wants to open as a charter in Bergen County.
KEVIN R. WEXLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
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Laurie Kisner addressing her students and their parents at Hatikvah Charter School in East Brunswick. A similar Hebrew-immersion academy, rejected three times, wants to open as a charter in Bergen County.

The application for Shalom Academy - thrice rejected by the state and opposed by local school administrators - is also buoyed by the opening this year of a similar school in East Brunswick, which already has a waiting list for the next school year.

"If it's a quality application, it's got a better shot than ever now," said Derrell Bradford, executive director of E3, a statewide school-choice advocacy group.

"In the past, charters were viewed as a nuisance and