Gazette: Opinions cite bias of county board members, violation of system regulations

State Board of Education directs Montgomery board to reconsider two rejected charter school applications

by Andrew Ujifusa and Jeanette Der Bedrosian | Staff Writers

...In separate decisions released today, the state school board told the county school board to reconsider applications from Global Garden Public Charter School and Crossway Community to build charter schools in Montgomery County...

...School system spokesman Dana Tofig said county lawyers were still reviewing the decision by the state board to determine what is required of the county, but he said he believes the state board is simply asking for clarification on why Global Garden application was denied.

"They asked the [county] Board of Education to put in writing their reasons for denial," he said in a phone interview this evening. "It doesn't ask for reconsideration."

In each of the conclusions to its two opinions, the state board said, "We reverse and remand this case so that the local board may reconsider its decision in light of the rulings we have made in this case. We expect that such reconsideration shall occur within 90 days of the date of this decision."