New county charter school applications denied

The number of North Carolina charter schools is growing, but Gaston County won’t see any more established soon.
The State Board of Education gave approval on Thursday for 26 charter schools to open in August. Some will be in Charlotte, but none in Gaston.
Two applications were filed to open charter schools here next school year, but both were denied.
Steven Alan Amos of Stanley filed as board chairman to open Catawba Valley Preparatory Academy. He plans to re-apply next year in hopes of getting the green light to form the charter school.
If the school is approved, Amos said the board will look to the Belmont and Mount Holly areas for a location.
 “I feel like I want to have a school that emphasizes college prep earlier, that gives kids who excel more challenges,” he said.
Board members also denied a request from Central Arts Charter School to open in August. A Gastonia post office box is listed as its mailing address on the application to the State Board of Education, but attempts to reach the founder for comment were unsuccessful.
Amos said he’s spoken with the founder of Central Arts Charter School but doesn’t know if she intends to file again in an attempt to open in the next several years.
There are two charter schools in Gaston County — Piedmont Community Charter in Gastonia and Mountain Island Charter in Mount Holly.
Lincoln County is home to one, Lincoln Charter School.
With the State Board of Education’s approval of the 26 schools slated for opening in August, there will now be 153 charter schools in North Carolina.
You can reach Wade Allen at 704-869-1828 or twitter.com/GazetteWade.