Charter schools win initial approval

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI/AP) -  The Rhode Island Board of Regents has given preliminary approval to a controversial plan to open two charter schools in Providence.

The board voted 5-4 Thursday night in approval of the proposal by charter school operator Achievement First.

The operator wants to run two elementary schools that would serve children from Providence, Warwick, North Providence and Cranston.

According to t he Providence Journal, Achievement First must now find a building, hire teachers and meet state charter school requirements. The first school would open in the fall of 2013, with the second opening in 2014.

School officials say the charter schools would result in millions of dollars in lost state aid to cities and towns.