Straight Up Conversation: New National Charter Alliance Chief Nina Rees

In his Education Week blog, Rick Hess interviews NAPCS President and CEO Nina Rees about topics including what drew her to the NAPCS, her top focus priorities for NAPCS and the public charter school sector, and key challenges for the sector.

Source: Education Week

Bill Gates donates $1 million to charter schools initiative

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has donated more than $1 million to support the initiative campaign pushing for charter schools in Washington state. According to a document filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission, Gates has donated $1.05 million to “Yes on 1240: Washington Coalition for Public Charter Schools." The campaign has attracted a number of other large donations, including almost half a million dollars from Mike and Jackie Bezos, the parents of Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. The campaign also has received donations of $100,000 from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Katherine Binder, chairwoman of EMFCO Holdings.

Source: The Associated Press

Maine charter school commission considers two more applications

Maine's Charter School Commission has voted down a proposed charter school in the town of Cornville, and has postponed a decision on one in Portland. The Cornville Regional Charter School would have been housed in the former Cornville Elementary School. Meanwhile, the commission is looking for more information before it decides on the proposed Baxter Academy of Technology and Science, a school that would focus on science, technology, engineering and math. Last week, the commission approved Maine's first charter school, the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences, which would operate on the Good Will-Hinkley campus.

Sources: WCSH6.com

Chicago's Perspectives Charter School Proud of Anthony Davis

Two years ago, nobody knew Anthony Davis' name nor had they heard of his high school, Perspectives Charter School, which isn't exactly a basketball powerhouse. But both have been thrust into the spotlight with his ascension in the basketball ranks and no one is prouder of him than his alma mater. "Today we proudly celebrate the amazing journey of Perspectives' Charter Schools' graduate Anthony Davis. Anthony's selection tonight by the New Orleans Hornets as the No. 1 overall pick in the National Basketball Association draft is the culmination of an incredible year, during which he captured college basketball's most coveted awards,” said Rhonda Hopps, CEO of Perspectives Charter School in a press release.

Source: NBCChicago.com

In observance of the 4th of July holiday, there will be no Charter News Daily tomorrow.