Massachusetts Voters Reject Charter School Expansion

BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- Voters have rejected a ballot measure that would have expanded the number of charter schools in Massachusetts by up to a dozen a year.

"It's a great victory," teacher Zina Link told WBZ-TV's Louisa Moller at a No On Question 2 Election Night party in Boston. "It's a victory for the students. It's a victory for education. It's a victory for the possibility of turning schools around rather than abandoning them."

Proponents had expressed disappointment earlier Tuesday evening.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker had campaigned for the referendum. Baker says in a statement that he's proud of those who fought to create more charter schools in the state "to provide more education choices for students stuck in struggling districts."

Opponents had argued that the measure would have drained resources away from traditional public schools.

The initiative would have allowed 12 additional charter schools in Massachusetts every year, or allowed increased enrollment in existing charter schools.

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