By the time a new group of students starts kindergarten this fall, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson will be embarking on something new himself -- education policy.

Peterson will become the first mayor in the country with the authority to approve charter schools -- including course plans, funding and attendance policies -- under legislation expected to be signed by Gov. Frank O'Bannon early next week.

... Peterson, who made charter schools a campaign theme and lobbied the General Assembly this year for the legislation, said apprehension over his qualifications will be offset by his accountability.

"Most people don't know who's on the School Board, but everyone knows who the mayor is," Peterson said. "If people think that we have botched the charter-school initiative, then they have a very clear-cut way of registering their disapproval in a high-visibility election."

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Read the full story in the Indianapolis Star