Plan for New Charter School in New Bedford Heads to Boston

NEW BEDFORD — The plan to allow the Alma del Mar Charter School to operate a new school within a vacant City-owned building is headed to Beacon Hill.

The New Bedford City Council voted 8-2 Thursday night on two measures that required formal City approval before consideration by Boston legislators.

The first charter-ruled item was language for special legislation to enact the agreement between New Bedford, Alma del Mar, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The second was a revised draft of possible legislative language.

Councilors Hugh Dunn and Maria Giesta voted against the motions. Councilor Dana Rebeiro was absent from Thursday night's meeting.

Under the plan, Alma del Mar will add 450 new charter school seats within the vacant Kempton School, with Alma assuming responsibility for the renovation and upkeep of the building.

The New Bedford School Committee, which had tabled an earlier vote, must now approve the transfer of the Kempton School to Alma del Mar, free of cost.