Massachusetts Senate Releases Charter School Overhaul Bill 

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Senate leaders have released a bill they say would allow more charter schools that serve at-risk students while largely maintaining the existing charter school cap statewide.

The bill would also increase spending on charter schools in lower performing districts while requiring more public disclosure by the schools of their finances, policies, contracts and board meetings.

The Senate is expected to debate the bill next week.

Lawmakers are trying to get a charter school bill to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk ahead of a proposed question for the November ballot that would add up to a dozen new or expanded charters each year outside of existing state caps.

Baker, a fan of charter schools, said the Senate bill offers no relief to 34,000 students currently waiting to get into a charter school.