Charter school governance: Mayors or Quarterbacks?

After the Minnesota legislature passed a round of charter school reforms during the latest session, it appears a different kind of charter-school sponsorship is cropping up elsewhere. According to these news accounts in the NY Daily News and the Providence Journal, there seems to be a growing interest in mayoral academies, where civic and community leaders govern a school.

Such a concept would represent a significant philosophical shift from charter schools in this area, which are largely founded on teacher governance. A model based on mayoral or municipal governance would have some clear benefits, not the least of which would be expanded opportunities for collaboration.

But one drawback to mayoral academies might come quickly to mind for residents of the Mankato area. Being a youngster in the Free Press office, I had never heard the strange and mysterious tale of Stan Christ - the former Mankato mayor who fled critics and controversy by cover of moonlight - until yesterday when fellow FreeP staffers relived the tangled tale.

With apologies to the dependable John Brady, perhaps Minnesota should consider Brett Favre-sponsored charter schools. He's one person we know won't go away.