Massachusetts voters defeat charter school initiative

By Evan Lips | November 8, 2016, 23:39 EST

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, supports lifting the cap on charter schools. (NewBostonPost photo by Evan Lips)

BOSTON — There will be no increase in the number of charter schools allowed to operate in the Bay State, as voters defeated a ballot initiative that would have paved the way for the annual statewide authorization of up to 12 new charters per year.

Great Schools Massachusetts, the group that pushed for the increase, released a statement shortly before 10:30 p.m.

> @GreatSchoolsMA has conceded with a statement: pic.twitter.com/sARWQRbQLA

— Edify (@wburEDify) November 9, 2016

Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) chimed in with his thoughts shortly after the final tally:

Q2: The voters have spoken. It’s time to shift our attention to 100% of students in our public education system. #mapoli

— Stan Rosenberg (@SenStan) November 9, 2016

According to early results, the question went down in defeat 62.6 percent against to 37.4 percent in favor.

Gov. Charlie Baker, who participated in a television advertisement crush ahead of the vote, expressed his “pride” for the initiative’s effort but also his dismay at with the final result in a statement:

.@CharlieBakerMA on the Charter vote: pic.twitter.com/6flAQQTmcM

— Evan Lips (@evanmlips) November 9, 2016