Michigan Senate Approves Charter School Expansion

LANSING (AP) - The Republican-led Michigan Senate has approved a bill that could lead to more charter schools in the state.

The bill passed by a 20-18, mostly party line vote Thursday advances to the Republican-led House.

The Senate bill would end certain numerical and geographical limits on charter schools, including the current cap of 150 university-sponsored charter schools.

The state now has a total of roughly 250 charter schools or public school academies. Teachers unions and the Michigan Association of School Boards oppose parts of the legislation.

The Senate eliminated a provision in the bill that would have let public school districts contract out to hire teachers in the same fashion they are now allowed to privatize custodial and other non-instructional staff.

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