Applications submitted for 5 Mississippi charter schools

Five applications for new charter schools are moving forward in Mississippi after operators initially expressed interest in opening 14 schools.

The Charter School Authorizer Board will consider approving a K-8 school in Drew as well as three K-8 schools and a high school in Jackson. A final vote is scheduled Sept. 12.

The board disqualified one application for a K-12 school in Jackson as incomplete and ineligible because the group didn't submit recent audited financial statements or proof of U.S. citizenship for two proposed board members and one staff member.

A number of other groups didn't go through with full applications. Executive Director Marian Schutte says groups may have decided they needed more time.

The board has authorized four charter schools so far. Two opened in August 2015.