Your July 22 editorial about Maine’s first public charter schools reflects misunderstandings about the broad nature of the charter school model.

Maine law requires public charter schools to recruit students among all groups in their proposed “catchment area.” They may not select students, and if the number of applicants exceeds available space, there must be a random admissions lottery. Therefore, Baxter Academy of Technology and Science will not be “elitist” as you fear.

Your assertion that the Cornville Regional Charter School “offers little new that will reach out to underserved students” discounts the community’s belief that their K-6 students are “underserved” by their consolidated district.

Cornville children now face long bus rides, are less able to participate in extracurricular activities and must change schools every few years because of the district’s division of grades among elementary schools, making them more likely to experience disengagement and bullying. Residents of Cornville are working hard to produce a better option for their children. The founders have researched and designed an innovative program that will provide each child with a personal learning plan, extended time for academics and play, project-based learning opportunities and proficiency-based advancement.

Their focus on creating a positive learning climate and attention to each child’s needs should serve Cornville’s students well. Furthermore, their building community support for an exceptional program will have far-reaching positive effects and help the town preserve its social vitality and economic viability.

The broad nature of the charter school model will serve Maine well in many respects, able to respond to both the diverse educational needs of individual children and also address the educational, social and economic needs of their communities.

Roger Brainard is the executive director of the Maine Association of Charter Schools.